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November had arrived along with the autumn chill, leaves falling to the ground and crunching as people stepped over them. The term was over for all of the party members, which meant they’d finally get to see each other without any rush.
Even after three years, it was still hard for all of them to spend so much time apart. Sometimes they’d visit on someone’s birthday, whenever it didn’t overlap with exams or very rigorous homeworks.
But this, they had planned for months. Mid November they’d all fly to New York, being Will’s turn to host the rest of the party. At least city wise, since they wouldn’t fit in the apartment, not with Will’s roommate living there too.
So it was Will’s turn to plan their first night out all together. He had set his mind on this new karaoke bar, now that all of them were 21 they could have some ‘adult fun’. Not that he’d partake in it, drinking wasn’t really on his agenda, ever. But he knew his friends liked to drink every now and then, so he’d humour them.
He had gone to the bar before, with his roommate, a very social girl who liked to party every weekend. But Will only had so much stamina, he’d have some fun, talk to people, hear her roommate sing and then head back home. But he was sure that going there with the party would be ten times funner.
Will was excited to see all of them again, last time they all got together he wasn’t able to go, being that he had procrastinated one of his art projects and was stuck at home painting for almost fifteen hours straight. He apologized to Max who had been celebrating her birthday, but she understood. This time though, they all confirmed their assistance.
For the last fifteen minutes he had been rearranging the living room, forcing his roommate to help him set out some snacks and help him with the radio that seemed to be failing.
“Is this a bachelorette party or what?” she had asked, not really understanding why Will was putting so much effort into the place. They were going to leave anyway.
“I’m trying to be a good host, Hailey.” Will explained, he took a step back to get a better view of the coffee table. He smiled to himself, proud of the display.
“Are you sure it isn’t because you want to make a good impression?" She asked with a smile, she gasped at her nail almost splitting while trying to get the radio to work.
“Well, yeah. I haven’t seen my friends in a while.” Will agreed with her, he was trying to make a good impression. He wanted them to have a good time while visiting him.
“You know what I meant. Isn’t your ‘friend’ coming over, too?” She asked teasingly, her eyebrows up and down. Will clicked his tongue, bashful. One time he had accidentally walked in on his roommate making out with another girl, Hailey had apologized after Will seemed to be frozen in his place.
Hailey had told him she liked girls and boys, she was slightly afraid Will would be uncomfortable with it. After processing it Will told Hailey he liked boys, and they bonded over it.
Mistakenly, one night Will told Hailey all about Mike and his big fat crush on him. He had opened his heart out and admitted aloud how painfully in love he was with his straight best friend. And while Hailey had comforted him, now she wouldn’t let Will live it down, constantly teasing him about it.
“I told you, it’s not like that.” He said, wiping his hands on the hem of his shirt. A knock on the door startled both of them.
He walked to the door. Hailey stood up from her place and pulled down her skirt to try to look a little bit more decent.
Will opened the door, both Lucas and Max beamed at the sight of their friends.
“Byers!” Lucas exclaimed, Will smiled and met Lucas in a hug, patting their backs lovingly. “It’s so good to see you man!”
“You too.” Will chuckled, he stepped back and turned to Max who seemed to be giddy on her feet. “Happy late birthday” Will joked, kissing her cheek and embracing Max between his arms. She laughed at the comment.
“I hope you saved my gift.” She joked back. Will let them inside, where Hailey stood slightly uncomfortable.
“This is Hailey, my roommate.” Will introduced her “Hailey, these are Lucas and Max.”
“Nice to meet you.” Hailey said shyly, she walked to the couple and shook both of their hands. “Will, I’m headed out.” She grabbed her jacket from the rack as well as her purse. She had a party that night, her girlfriend was celebrating her birthday.
Will walked her to the door, Hailey whispered to him as she fixed her jacket and her dress. “By the way, I’m staying at Cassandra’s, so I won’t be home until tomorrow night, probably.” Will nodded his head, opening the door.
Both of the roommates turned to see two guys standing in front of the door, one raised hand that had been ready to knock on the door. Hailey stole a glance from a breathless Will, she looked back to both guys. One of them had curly hair and wore a hat even if they were inside the building. The other one was tall and pale, dark hair messy. She smiled to herself.
“So, if you want to bring anyone home, feel free to do so.” She added, not caring about the other two boys listening to their ongoing conversation. “You must be Will’s other friend, I’m Hailey. And I’m going.” She slithered her way to the hallway, walking away. “Have fun!” she exclaimed before disappearing on the corner where the stairs began.
“She’s cute.” Dustin said with a smile, Will sighed and nodded. They shared a hug, Dustin grunting dramatically. “I missed you, Byers!” He said, pulling back from a still flushed Will. He heard Dustin greeting Lucas and Max inside the apartment as he turned to Mike who had been quiet and standing still since he opened the door.
“Hey.” Mike said with a smile, Will sighed.
“Hi.” Will replied quietly, just like he had with the rest of the party, Will hugged Mike. He was allowed to do that, they were friends. His unresolved and unrequited feelings for Mike had nothing to do with it. He felt Mike’s resting chin on his shoulder, letting out a breath that made him shiver slightly. They stepped back, and Will had to remind himself they weren’t alone. “Come in.”
Lucas and Max sat on the couch comfortably, his hand on her leg lovingly, and Dustin had taken a seat on the floor, even if there was another one person couch completely free.
“Jane apologized, said she’d be late” Dustin announced as Will and Mike entered the living room. “But she’ll meet us wherever we are. Gladly, she’s still good at finding people.” He joked. Dustin and Jane had started dating a year and a half after they defeated Vecna, once their college lives had already begun.
Will still remembered when Jane told him she thought Dustin was cute. He was flabbergasted, not that he thought Dustin was disgusting, but he didn’t understand how Jane went from Mike to Dustin. Although he might have been a little biased by his own love haze.
But they made each other happy, and everyone was happy for them. Especially Will. Even Mike had to acknowledge that Dustin was a better boyfriend than he ever was to Jane.
“So, where are we going?” Max asked with a big smile, excited to hear Will’s plan. He stood in front of everyone, Mike still standing next to him. The one person couch is still completely empty.
“I thought we could go to this bar, it’s new and they have karaoke.” He announced with an unsure smile. He wanted everyone to think it was a fun idea, because he didn’t have a backup plan. “It’s fun, Hailey always gets wasted there.” He added with a chuckle.
“Sounds fun!” said Dustin, he stood up hands on his hips, a habit he picked up from Steve. “Jane will love it.” He added, smile widening.
“Oh my God, Lucas we can sing ‘Running up that Hill’” Max joked, grabbing Lucas’ hand. He threw his head back and groaned.
“Please, don’t.” He said, Max giggling. She knew how tired Lucas was of that song, besides it not bringing any good memories.
“What do you think, Mike?” Max asked, turning to the boy who had been oddly quiet. He nodded.
“Yeah, sure.” He nodded his head and smiled.
—————
The place was crowded, being that it was relatively new it was only natural. Music blasted on the speakers, making it hard to even order something from the bar. The stage was empty, apparently nobody in the bar was drunk enough to get on the stage and start singing their lungs out. Mike thought it was ridiculous, in the most fun way possible.
They had found a round cabin that fit all of them, even left some room for Jane. Dustin and Lucas went off to the bar to get some shots, and Max excused herself to the bathroom. Mike and Will were left alone sitting in the booth.
It was rare whenever Will hoped he liked alcohol, but at moments like this, being left alone with Mike in a very crowded place, sitting so close despite there being so much room in the booth. He needed something to boost his confidence.
“You said you’ve come here before?” Mike asked in a shout, trying to get his voice all the way to Will’s ears, even if they were sitting quite close.
“Yeah, Hailey likes it here.” Will replied
“I didn’t really take you for the bar kind of guy.” Mike added, he leaned on the table, eyes fixed on Will who shrugged in his place.
“I’m in it for drunk people singing, really.” Will said with a smile. One of those times it had been Hailey, singing about how much she loved her girlfriend Cass who was embarrassed. “Don’t really drink.”
“I know.” Mike said, of course he knew. Will’s chest tightened, Mike really did know him too well, even when leaving miles away from each other. Even when they had been apart for three years. Phone calls happened every now and then, but their schedules hardly aligned. Mike shifted a little closer to Will’s side, thighs brushing against each other. “So you–”
“Hello!” Jane’s voice interrupted whatever Mike was going to say. She had a big smile on her face as she walked over to them. Will stood up and hugged his sister tightly, they hadn’t seen each other in a while. “Oh, I missed you!” Jane said, closing her eyes. She leaned to where Mike was half sitting half standing, fake kissing his cheek and a side hug due to the uncomfortable position “Hey stranger” she said to him.
As if Jane had summoned them, the rest of the party arrived at the scene. Dustin left the three shots he could barely carry on the table, embracing Jane tightly who giggled like a high school girl. They shared a quick kiss that made Max ‘aw’ their way.
After they all hugged her, they sat at the booth. Now it was crowded, all pressed tightly against each other. Will was sitting on the edge of the booth, one of his legs out on the hallway.
“Do you want me to move?” Mike asked, leaning to Will’s ear to make sure he heard him. His lips ghosted over Will’s earshell, almost making him fold. But he just shook his head, trying to look cool about it.
“Here’s to us!” Dustin handed out the shots. They raised the small glasses as Dustin stood up to make a probably corny speech. “To friendship, vacations, and love.” He grabbed Jane’s hand who smiled and blushed at her boyfriend’s words. Dustin also looked at Will at the word love. Dustin had made both Hopper-Byers siblings smile.
Everyone at the party had been so supportive about Will’s sexuality, they even inquired about any type of possible situationship Will might have going on. But there was always nothing to talk about, because Will was hung up on the boy whose thigh seemed to press more and more against his by the second.
“Cheers!” Max exclaimed with a smile, they all followed her example, chugging down the liquid that made their throats burn.
“Shit.” Jane complained, twisting her face. Will laughed at everyone’s reaction, shot glass still pinned to the table. He caught a glimpse of Mike’s eyes on him, timidly he offered him the shot.
“You want it?” Will asked, trying not to think too much about his best friend looking at him like that. Mike took the shot and chugged it down like the one before. Will felt something warm in his stomach even if he wasn’t the one drinking the burning liquor. “Good?” He asked when he saw Mike close his eyes.
“Terrible.” Mike chuckled, leaving the shot glass on the table.
The night went on smoothly, the party shared around four more rounds of shots, which only meant Mike had taken twice as much, taking Will’s instead of ordering one less. Ten shots in, Mike was starting to act funny.
“You know I once dreamed about you.” Mike said, his words slightly slurred, Will left out a small interested oh. He was smart enough to know he couldn’t take anything Mike said to heart, given his obvious drunken state. “You had these sick powers and you took down two– No, three. Three demogorgons.” He said, eyes big as he recalled said dream.
“That actually happened, Mike.” Will said with a chuckle. Mike frowned.
“What?” He looked around, as if someone could hear them and leaned closer to Will’s space “You have powers?”
“Not anymore.” Will wanted to laugh, Mike seemed so lost. Shortly after Mike started laughing too, hiding his face on the inside part of his elbow. Will could only think about how hungover Mike would be the next day.
“That’s crazy. You’re so cool, Will.” Mike said breathlessly, he then leaned his head against Will’s shoulder. The boy stiffened slightly, blood rushing to his neck and ears.
“Someone’s wasted.” Will heard Lucas comment from across the booth. Max laughed at the sight of a limp Mike resting against Will’s body.
“Why did you keep ordering me shots if I don’t drink?” Will asked the rest of the party “You knew this would happen.” He said, squinting his eyes at his friends.
“It’s not our fault Mike is so accommodating.”
“I’ll get him some water.” Will pushed himself off the table, Mike almost falling into the booth. One of his hands stopped Will by his thigh. No one could see it beneath the table, but Will felt it too clearly.
“Where are you going?” Mike asked with puppy eyes, brows knitting together.
“You’re drunk. I’ll get you some water, Mike.” Will said. He didn’t want to move, the feeling of Mike’s hand on his thigh, slightly squeezing it, being too intoxicating. He could feel his long fingers pressing against denim, he felt like he was dying and ascending to heaven.
“M’kay.” Mike hesitated before he let go of the boy’s thigh.
Will sighed and stood up, and walked up to the bar leaning on it. He needed to snap out of it, Mike was not being himself because of alcohol. At least it didn’t make him aggressive. His stomach hurled at the impossible thought of Mike yelling and throwing punches like his dad used to whenever he got drunk.
But Mike was certainly not his dad. Watching drunk Mike was amusing even, he was like a little kid. Dramatic and with terrible phrasing. Will smiled softly to himself. He ordered a glass of water and a coke to the barman who nodded at him before taking up other orders.
“Is this seat taken?” Will turned to see a guy standing next to him, gripping on the last empty chair. He recognized him from the University, he didn’t know his name but had seen him walking in the hallways. “You go to NYU, right? Think I’ve seen you before.” The boy said, resting his weight on the counter.
“Yeah, I think I’ve seen you around too.” Will smiled politely, he turned to the guy. He had to admit he was good looking. He wore a black shirt and a denim jacket, his eyes were blue, his hair dark and curly like his best friend’s.
“I’m Carlton.” He extended his hand and Will took it.
“Will.”
—————
A few minutes had passed, and Will had not returned to the table. Mike was leaning against the booth looking at the ceiling, completely lost. Music was still loud, this time accompanied by the voice of one of the many drunk people inside the place. They were singing “Take on me” very off key, people clapped and cheered them up. Mike slowly regained a little consciousness, at least enough to wonder where the other boy could be.
“Where’s Will?” He asked, his head turned aggressively to Max who was the closest one to Mike.
“Um…” She looked around the bar, her eyes stopped in front “Oh, there he is. With that handsome guy at the bar.” She pointed to the crowd of people, herself being a little tipsy from all the shots. Mike squinted his eyes, trying to find Will in the sea of people. He finally got a glimpse of Will’s white jacket.
His jaw clenched as he saw Will laugh, the boy in front of him admiring what Mike had been just a few minutes ago. Mike huffed.
“Let’s go sing something!” Jane exclaimed, leaning over Dustin to grab Max’s hand. ‘Take on me’ slowly faded out, people roaring and laughing at the pitchy interpretation, the singer already breathless and ‘whooping’ into the microphone. “Come on, guys!”
Jane made all of them stand up and rush to the stage, she grabbed Max by the wrist and took on the stage. She yelled to the guy in charge of the music to play ‘Material girl’ by Madonna.
Lucas and Dustin yelled as their girlfriends started to move to the starting notes of the song. Mike, dragged by the rest of his friends, struggled to find Will from his new position. He clicked his tongue, and turned to see Jane and Max yelling into the microphone and having fits of laughter every now and then.
Some boys romance, some boys slow dance
That’s alright with me
Jane pointed to Dustin with a big toothy smile, and Dustin had a stupid look on his face. At least that’s what Mike thought. Jane and Max shook their heads, clearly enjoying themselves.
If they can’t raise my interest
Then I have to let them be
Mike turned around again, this time clearly seeing Will and the other guy. It could have been the alcohol playing tricks on him, but he could have sworn the guy looked like him. Like Mike. The same dark hair, a similar body type, maybe just a little smaller. Mike was fuming, wasn’t tonight supposed to be about them? The whole party being together, so naturally Will being next to Mike. They hadn’t seen each other in months and Will was flirting with some other guy next to the bar.
The song faded and Jane accidentally held the microphone too close to her as she yelled.
“That’s my boyfriend! I love you!” She pointed to Dustin and people whistled and clapped. They jumped off the stage, Lucas barely catching a very jolly Max, who kissed him sloppily. And really, who was Lucas to complain about it?
“Okay, okay. Who’s next?” Jane asked, “It was so much fun, you should do it!” She said to the boys. Mike turned to her.
“I’ll go.” He said, determined. He stumbled to the stage, almost tripping. He whispered-yelled something to the guy behind the music who showed him a thumbs up. Mike straightened his spine, trying to catch Will’s eye from across the room. When the starting notes of the song began, Will’s eyes locked with Mike’s, an expression of shock and amusement taking over his face.
Mike banged his head to the rhythm, all second hand embarrassment leaving him as he felt the music travel every single nerve on his body.
I wanted to be with you alone
and talk about the weather.
But traditions I can trace against
the child in your face
Won’t escape my attention
His voice was raspy due to the alcohol, and his words still tripped over themselves. He was drunk after all. Back in the bar, Will’s eyes traveled from Carlton to one interpretive Mike, who held a microphone close to his lips.
“Are you okay?” Carlton asked, he placed his hand on Will’s arm catching his attention once more.
“Yeah, yeah I’m okay.”
You keep your distance
via the system of touch
And gentle persuasion
Mike’s eyes were glued to Will’s, begging him to look back at him. To stop looking at Carlton.
I’m lost in admiration,
could I need you this much?
Oh, you're wasting my time
You’re just, just, just wasting time
Mike’s knees bent slightly, feeling every word that came out of his mouth. Will wasn’t sure if he wanted to laugh or if he found it oddly attractive. Carlton almost became background noise as Will was too focused on Mike’s little display on the stage.
Something happens and
I’m head over heels
I never find out until
I’m head over heels
Slowly Mike fell to his knees, the crowd roared and cheered him on. Will felt his face warm up at the sight of Mike completely wrecked. He really should have got him that glass of water.
Ah, don’t take my heart,
don’t break my heart
Don’t, don’t, don’t
throw it away.
Jane and Max ‘whooped’ and screamed, Dustin could only wish he had a camera on him to record Mike and make fun of him for the rest of his life. Lucas was bent over laughing at the interpretation of ‘Head over Heels’ Mike was performing.
I made a fire, and watching it burn
Thought of your future
With one foot in the past,
Now just how long will it last?
Now, now, now, have you no ambitions?
Mike whined every ‘now’ the song, his head banging in the air with sentiment. He tried to do a flying kick, but lost balance, almost falling off the stage. Everyone laughed and Mike sighed, song still playing and him losing track of the lyrics looking up, trying to remember.
Will excused himself with Carlton, he took both glasses he had ordered and made his way to the stage. He found the rest of his friends, Jane swaying with Dustin and Max and Lucas singing the lyrics to each other.
“Hey!” Will yelled, music even louder this close to the stage.
“Will! You missed Mike’s performance!” Jane said, even if Mike was still on the stage, music was still going and lyrics still lost.
“I don’t think I did.” Will replied with an awkward smile. The chorus began and Mike nodded, remembering the easy lyrics he had already sung. His eyes traveled to where Will used to be, only seeing Carlton drinking. He frowned and looked at his friends, Will, in front of the improvised stage.
Something happens and
I’m head over heels
I never find out until
I’m head over heels
Something happens and
I’m head over heels
Mike’s eyes locked with Wills, his whole body angled towards him. He sank to his knees again, this time closer to the edge of the stage, leaning forward to where Will was standing.
Ah, don’t take my heart,
don’t break my heart
Don’t, don’t don’t
throw it away
Will gulped as Mike looked right into his eyes, his shoulders were heaving. He was clearly out of breath. He held the microphone close to his lips again, and Will had to lick his lips as his mouth went dry.
And this is my
four leaf clover
I’m on the line,
one open mind
This is my four
leaf clover
The instrumental began and while everyone sang the choir voices going ‘na na na’, Will couldn’t take his eyes off Mike. Something behindMike’s blown out pupils called Will’s name. Even if this was just a song, the way Mike sang it had ‘Will’ written all over it. Maybe no one else noticed it, but Will did.
Before the last verse, the music faded and people cheered. Mike left the microphone on the stage floor and struggled to get down the stage. Will caught him, similar to how Lucas had caught Max moments before.
“Easy.” Will said, trying to keep Mike steady. Mike’s hands grabbed onto Will’s shoulders, a big smile on his face.
“You liked it?” Mike asked, still drunk just as Will figured. “´Twas for you.” He said chirpy, the others around them blinked twice at Mike’s admission.
“What?” Max asked, suddenly sobering up. After all there was an evident difference between their alcohol intake during the night.
“You sang ‘Head Over Heels’... for Will?” Dustin asked, brows knitted together in confusion. He held Jane by her waist who had started giggling uncontrollably.
“Yeah, it’s a friendship song.” Mike said in a high pitched voice, Will trying to ignore the embarrassment he clearly felt reached for the glass of water and handed it to Mike, who took a long sip. Droplets dripped down his chin as he sighed.
“A friendship song?!” Lucas exclaimed “How is ‘Head Over Heels’ a friendship song?”
“It’s about friendship, you guys! Like really caring about your friend!” Mike yelled, throwing his arms up. Music started to drown out the conversation, some other girl taking on the stage. Soon enough the rest of them joined Jane in her laughter. Mike flushed and stuttered, upset “Why are you laughing? It’s like… you can be head over heels in a friendship, like really invested, right?” Dustin slapped his knee like an old man laughing. “You believe me, don’t you, Will?” He asked Will.
“Um… Let’s sit down, yeah?” Will guided a complaining Mike back to their booth. He sat them down. Mike got a hold of Will’s glass of coke and chugged it down, but Will didn’t seem to care.
“What do they know?” Mike mumbled, grumpy and whining. Will simply sat next to him, listening to Mike’s rambling. “You know what, fuck them. Fuck you!” Mike yelled, in hopes the rest of the party would hear him. Will shushed him, placing his palm against Mike’s mouth.
Mike looked at him with pleading eyes, and Will struggled to look away. He dropped his hand, still feeling the ghost of Mike’s parting lips on it.
“You’re going to get us kicked out.” Will said with a soft chuckle.
“What took you so long?” Mike asked, he rested his cheek on the table which was probably very dirty.
“I was getting you water to avoid something like what just happened.” Will replied with a goofy smile, his front teeth peeking out. Something Mike found cute, mumbling ‘bunny’ under his breath.
“No, you were flirting.” Mike shot back, Will’s eyebrows raised, smile slightly dropping. “I saw you, that guy had his hands on you. Like this.” Mike put his hand on Will’s arm like Carlton had before him.
“Carlton? I know him from college, we were talking.” Will didn’t actually need to explain himself to Mike. Even if he had been flirting with Carlton, why was it any of Mike’s business? Or anyone’s business, for the matter.
“You were laughing.”
“He said something funny.”
“You think I’m funny, right?” Mike blurted out, he sat up straight eyes fixed on Will’s. The other boy went quiet, he opened his mouth only to close it again. Was Mike jealous?
“I mean, yeah.” Will replied, he felt Mike’s knee brush against his. Mike hummed in approval and took another sip of Will’s coke. Soon the rest of the party joined them, wanting to take one final shot before they went home.
“Yes!” Mike said eagerly.
“No.” Will added, raining on Mike’s parade. “No more drinking.” Will sounded like a mom, he thought it was ridiculous. Mike was an adult, he could do whatever he wanted to. Still, he saw Mike flush and lean back onto the booth as if saying ‘okay’.
While everyone else cheered and chugged down their last shot, Mike pouted and nudged Will’s elbow. Will looked back at him and Mike looked away while failing to hide his smile, acting like a kid.
They decided to take off, Lucas had sobered up enough to help Max, while Jane and Dustin were just as wasted as the other, bumping into each other and giggling. Will watched, a warm feeling in his chest. He really loved all of his friends.
Mike walked next to Will, surprisingly he was able to walk in a straight line. Well, almost straight, constantly bumping into Will or tripping on absolute air, mumbling ‘sorry’s everytime.
Lucas and Max had driven seven hours in their own car, and Dustin had rented a truck when his plane landed.
“You going with Dustin?” Will asked, as they walked the parking lot. Mike shook his head.
“No, Jane’s staying with him. I was hoping you could take me in?” He asked “Didn’t your roommate say you could take someone home if you wanted to?” Will’s cheeks burned, because that’s not how Hailey meant it and he was sure Mike knew it. Because he saw something gleam in Mike’s drunk eyes. “You’re not taking Carlton, right?
What?
“What?” Will asked completely off guard. “Why would I take Carlton home?”
“Because you like him.” Mike said, his smile had dropped and his strides were shorter. He hunched his shoulders and looked at the ground. “I saw the way you looked at him.” Mike mumbled, hands inside his pockets.
“And how would that be?” Will asked, curious but scared about Mike’s reply. He felt like he was taking advantage of Mike’s lack of sobriety. He was being a bad friend.
“The same way you look at me.” Mike blurted out, Will stopped completely dumbfounded. Their conversation was cut short by Lucas, who approached them. Max had disappeared, probably already sitting inside of his car.
“We’re heading out, drive safe.” He patted Mike’s shoulder and hugged Will goodbye. Dustin and Jane didn’t even bother saying goodbye, they got into Dustin’s lent truck and probably took a nap to sober up before leaving the parking lot. Either that or they were making out. Will would rather entertain the first thought than the second one.
Will walked Mike to his car, and had him sit in the backseat. A few minutes in, Mike’s head hung low, mouth open and slightly snoring. Every now and then he’d wake up and rest his head against the seat only for it to drop once more.
Will gripped the wheel tightly with one hand, the other one had found a place on his chin, biting one of his fingers as he stole glances from a half asleep but very drunk Mike in the rearview.
The same way you look at me.
Did Mike know about Will’s feelings for him? He had said Will looked at Carlton like he liked him, the same way he looks at Mike. And now he was driving that same guy who had apparently serenaded him with ‘Head Over Heels’ in a bar to his place. Even if he had claimed it was a song about friendship. But then again, Will had to remind himself: He’s drunk.
When they made it to his apartment, Will woke Mike up and held him by his waist as they climbed the stairs to the fourth floor, where Will lived. They reached the door and Will struggled to get his hand on his back pocket, trying to reach for the key.
“Let me.” Mike mumbled, still half asleep. He slid his hand down Will’s back over to the back of his jeans, his fingers dipped inside Will’s back pocket and hooked the keychain. Will could only focus on the feeling of Mike’s hand on what was essentially his butt. He sighed as Mike took his hand out after a second or two.
After a couple of tries Will managed to stop fumbling with the keys and open the apartment door. He helped Mike to the couch, dropping his weight as he panted.
“God, you’re heavy.” Will said out of breath, one hand traveled to his chest as he tried to refill his lungs. “Stay here.”
Will walked to a closet where they kept spare sheets and towels. He took out a set of blue sheets and returned to Mike who was patiently waiting for the resident, sitting prettily, fingers drumming on his knees.
“You can stay on the couch.” Will set the sheets next to Mike.
“But it’s cold.”
“That’s what the sheets are for.”
“Well, then it’s lonely.” Mike added, looking at Will who stood before him.
“You’re being a brat.” Will said, not meaning to say it out loud. He rubbed his face as he heard a small noise coming from Mike who remained seated. “So what?” He asked.
“Can I sleep with you?” Mike asked slowly, as if it was a dangerous question to ask. But Will knew his answer could be potentially more dangerous.
“Mike-”
“Please, Will?” Mike begged not only with his words, his eyes filled with something Will couldn’t quite name. “No funny business.” He promised. Will looked around, as if someone would randomly appear and tell him what to do. Then he looked back at Mike. He looked at his flushed face, his sleepy eyes and his tousled hair. He was down bad.
Will helped Mike up and walked him to his own room. It was partially organized, just a few clothes lying on the floor but he had tidied up two days ago. Luckily. Mike fell on the bed with a grunt and Will had to fight back all of those late night thoughts that started that same way.
“Wait, where’s your bag?” Will asked. Mike’s mouth went into an ‘o’ shape.
“I think it’s in Dustin’s truck.” He replied. “I can just sleep in my underwear." Mike said with simplicity.
“No! No, there’s no need.” Will said, not even entertaining the idea of sleeping next to a half naked Mike. The thought made his cheeks turn slightly pink. “I’ll lend you some clothes. It’s fine.” He turned around and looked through his drawers for something that would fit Mike, given that he was taller than him, his legs were longer. “Here.”
He turned around to see Mike’s head trapped in his shirt, trying to take it off and failing. Will’s heart stopped at the sight of Mike’s lean pale abdomen and chest, but he was a little more worried about his almost asphyxiated friend. He rushed to pull on Mike’s shirt, helping him out of it.
“Jesus, Mike.” Will sighed exasperated and bothered. Mike leaned back on the bed, breathing hard with a smile on his face.
“My hero.” Mike joked, Will reached for his clothes and put them on Mike’s lap trying to scare away his own blush and appease his heartbeat.
“I’ll wait outside.”
Will closed the door behind him and leaned against it, his hands reached for his face just to feel how hot it was. He wanted to beat himself up, why would he do that? Push Mike into his bed, yank his t-shirt off, it was all so innocent, a friend helping another friend out, and yet he felt so filthy. Will was a weak man, he should have Mike sleep on the couch and that would have been the end of it. But then, it would have been the end of it. And Will was a shitty person because he was secretly enjoying it.
The door opened, almost making him fall on his back, he turned to see a dressed Mike. His pajamas fit him well, the shirt was naturally oversized.
“Your pants slide off.” Mike complained.
“Well, you’re flat.” Will added jokingly, and Mike gasped.
“Rude.”
They both entered the room, Mike climbing onto the bed like a kid on christmas eve. Will stood there for a second.
“You gonna sleep like that?” Mike asked, his eyes raking over Will’s fit. “You look good, but I don’t think that’s very comfortable to sleep in.” Will flushed at the half compliment.
He’s drunk. He’s drunk.
Will grabbed something to change into himself, and left the room to change inside the bathroom. He had the decency to not start undressing in front of his best friend. When he returned to the room he saw Mike struggling to keep himself awake.
“Just go to sleep, Mike.” Will said, sitting on the bed, on the side he usually slept in.
“I was waiting for you.” He yawned, visibly tired. He leaned back fully into the bed, dark curls hitting the pillow and he sighed at the softness of the mattress under his aching body. He moaned and Will tried to pretend he didn’t like that sound. Mike looked up at Will and patted the space next to him.
Slowly Will got under the covers and laid next to Mike who had shifted on his side to face Will.
“Will?” He said, and Will hummed. “It’s not a friendship song, isn’t it?” He asked, puppy eyes looking straight into Will’s.
“It can be.” Will lied, it could not be. ‘Head Over Heels’ was a love song and nobody could deny it, but Will had to for his own sanity.
“But it’s not.” Mike replied “I knew it, I just didn’t care.” He admitted. Will had learned three things about drunk Mike.
- He was dramatic
- He was too honest
- He was driving him crazy
“I just wanted you to look at me.” Mike whispered, his fingers clutched the sheets between his and Will’s body. “But you were looking at him”
“So you just wanted my attention?” Will tried to make sense of Mike’s words.
“No. I mean, yes. But not only that.” Mike said “I didn’t want you to look at him the way you look at me. It’s not okay.” Mike pouted and frowned. Will scoffed.
“Why isn’t it okay?”
“Because you should only look at me that way, Will.” Mike said in a breath, his knee moved up to graze Will’s thigh under the covers. Proximity was becoming dangerous and Will needed to get out of the fire before he got burned. “Carlton’s such a stupid name, anyway.” Mike added and Will snorted.
“Please tell me you don’t like him.”
“What?”
“Please, Will. Tell me you don’t like stupid Carlton.” Mike begged, making himself small on the bed. “Please.”
“I don’t…” Will couldn’t take it anymore, Mike was just messing with him the same way alcohol was messing with Mike. “Mike, you’re drunk. Go to sleep.”
“I’m not drunk.”
“Yes, you are!” Will whispered loudly, even if there was no one else in the apartment. “You’re being nonsensical, saying and doing things you’re going to regret tomorrow morning.”
“I’d never regret this, Will.” Mike said “I’d never regret asking you not to like him.”
“See? You’re being ridiculous.” Will tried to put an end to the conversation. He didn’t want to push it and find out something he didn’t want to know, or worse, something he’d like too much. “Good night, Mike.” Will reached for the lamp on his nightstand and turned his back on Mike.
“Will” Mike whined in the darkness, Will shut his eyes trying to ignore him. “Will,” Mike called his name out again, his hand got a hold of Will’s t-shirt and tugged on it. But Will was a rock, nothing would make him move. “Will, please.”
Long limbs slowly hugged Will’s waist, fingers grazing against his clothed stomach. Will felt the shifting behind him, resolving in the other boy’s chest pressing firmly against his back. Now Will really couldn’t move. “Will.” Mike called one more time, his face ghosting over Will’s nape.
“Mike” Will meant to say it as a warning, except it came out as a faint whisper. “You said no funny business.” He added, still he didn’t move. He didn’t push Mike’s hand away from his stomach, he didn’t move his back away from the warmth of Mike’s chest.
“Tell me you don’t like him.” Mike said, asking for the same thing he had moments ago, keen on it. He pressed his hands tightly against Will’s stomach who had trouble breathing, gasping for air. It was no longer a request, or so Will thought. He was demanding it.
“I don’t,” Will whispered, complying “I don’t like him.” Mike hummed with content, and Will could feel the phantom of Mike’s lips against his nape, unsure if it had been a kiss or just an accident.
“Tell me you only like me.” Mike said next, he flushed his body against Will’s and the other boy could have cried at the feeling. Everything he had ever imagined had happened in just a fraction of mind, the only problem was Mike being completely wasted. Will was scared he’d wake up and regret it all, or worse, forget it. “Please, Will. Tell me you only like me.” This time Mike kissed Will’s nape. Not once, not twice, but repeatedly. They were small, soft kisses, trying to encourage Will’s answer out of him.
Will had to shut his eyes, and try really hard not to give in, not to focus too much on the softness of Mike’s lips pressed against his skin. His breath hitched with every kiss, fire settling in his gut. He heard Mike’s whining behind him due to his unresponsiveness.
“Will, please.” It sounded like someone had punched the air out of him, about to lose it. Like he’d die if Will didn’t answer. What he didn’t know was that Will himself was dying, failing to not push his own body against Mike’s, relishing on the feeling.
“I only like you.” Will said in a breath, “Only you, Mike.” After years of suppressing his feelings, Will finally got to say it out loud. At least to Mike, who Will was afraid he’d lose after dropping such an atomic bomb. Will didn’t want to ruin his friendship, he would rather take his secret to his grave and have Mike attend his funeral as his best friend.
But it didn’t matter anymore, because Mike had serenaded Will with a love song in front of a lot of drunk people, a love song he deliberately chose. He was currently pressing his own body against Will’s, kissing the back of his neck and whining. Their friendship was already ruined, and it didn’t take a genius to see it.
Will felt his body grow cold, as Mike’s own detached from his own. He sighed, it was too good to be true. He had ruined everything, and he had read it all wrong.
He. is. drunk.
A hand on his shoulder made him lay back on the mattress a little harsher than intended, Mike’s frame hovering over him and Will had never wished so bad to turn a light on. He could have easily been dreaming.
Mike leaned closer, the distance between their faces shortening at an alarming speed. And even though he had dreamed this moment millions of times before, Will had to stop Mike, grabbing him by his shoulders.
“No,” the whisper bounced back on Mike’s lips, their noses brushed “You’re drunk, Mike. It’s not…” Will struggled to look away from Mike’s everything. He was intoxicated and hadn’t even gotten a chance to taste. If they crossed that one last line, Will knew he’d never come back. “You’re going to wake up and either forget this or regret it. I don’t want that, Mike.”
“I won’t.” Mike said, his voice was soft like a promise made of cotton. “Will, I don’t think I’ve ever wanted something so bad.” He said ending with a sigh, he pressed his forehead to Will’s. His arms were starting to fail under his weight.
“You don’t mean that.”
“You don’t get to choose that.” Mike said and Will finally closed his mouth, unsure of what to say. “I didn’t mean to drink so much. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I didn’t plan on confessing so out of the blue with a song that’s painfully and obviously about love.” Will’s eyes opened widely, his heart pounding against his chest.
“But Will,” Mike’s voice softened, almost disappearing into thin air, exhaustion written all over it. Exhaustion from hiding. “I am painfully and obviously in love with you.” He said, exhaling on Will’s lips who could only stare deep into Mike’s yearning eyes.
“And maybe the timing is all wrong, and both alcohol and jealousy pushed me to the limit,” he started saying. He shifted his weight from one arm to the other “but please. Please, just let me have this, just this once.” Mike lowered himself onto Will’s body even further, stopping where their breaths mixed together. Because as much as he wanted it, he didn’t want to push Will into anything.
He’s still drunk, Will. He tried to remind himself, even if Mike had meant all of it. Even if Mike did in fact love him the same way he did, he’d be taking advantage of the boy on top of him. If he kissed him it could be considered harassment, people went to jail for this stuff. And yet, he found his hands traveling to Mike’s shoulder blades, pulling him closer.
Will was a weak, weak man.
His head pushed forward, closing the distance between their lips, finally meeting in a kiss. Once upon a time it would have been soft, but it wasn’t, it was rushed and desperate. Because Will had waited way too long for it. He felt Mike melt against him, elbows failing to keep him steady, but Will’s hands groped Mike’s back encouraging him to let himself fall on top of him, bodies flushed against each other’s. Mike groaned, out of breath.
“Will,”
“No,” Will kissed him again, eliciting a whine from Mike’s lips “Let me have this.” Will breathed against the other boy’s lips. He felt Mike nod his head softly, taking in Will’s eagerness.
Will rolled them over, pushing Mike against the mattress. Their lips moved frantically, both of them sighing and taking small breaths in between open mouthed kisses. Mike one of his hands beneath Will’s shirt, feeling on the lean muscles of the small of his back. The other one held Will’s face close to his by the side of his neck. Will’s lips glided over Mike’s jaw, descending to where his chin met his neck. The dark haired boy breathed hardly, calling out the other’s name in whispers.
“Tomorrow,” Will said between fluttering kisses on Mike’s neck, the boy beneath him hummed “we’ll talk about this.” He added, one of his hands grabbed on Mike’s leg, bringing up by his thigh, squeezing it. Mike nodded, eyes closed lost in the feeling, Will brought himself up to face Mike. “But you can’t run away, Mike.” He said. He pleaded. Because he knew Mike tended to run away from his feelings and serious conversations. But this time, he had no choice. He wouldn’t give him a chance to run away, not after he had wrecked him.
“I won’t.” Mike said with a thread of voice, his mouth ironically dry at Will’s severe tone, even after all of that kissing. “I won’t, I promise.” Will left one final kiss to Mike’s lips, and laid back on his side of the bed. Mike shifted on his side and clinged to Will, draping his arm around his high waist, humming with content. His eyelashes felt heavy on his eyelids, barely being able to keep them open. He yawned.
Will’s heart kept on rising as Mike’s slowed down, slowly falling into deep slumber.
“I love you.” Mike mumbled before blacking out, Will’s breath hitched. Those three words got him more worked up than their makeout session barely minutes ago. Will thought he wouldn’t be able to sleep, but as it turned out he quickly dazed off, heart still beating fast and if Mike had been awake he would have felt it.
Their breaths synced up in the darkness of the night, where no one, not even birds outside dared to interrupt.
—————
His body woke him up before his brain did. He opened his eyes carefully letting the light sink in, a new day announcing itself through the curtains. A groan barely escaped from his throat, his mouth dry and raw from drinking the night before. He laid on his back, in a starfish position, staring at the ceiling.
He looked around the room, recognizing it as someone’s room and not a cheap motel room. Posters, paintings and pictures on the wall.
Will.
Mike sat up, propping himself on his hands. The bed was empty, covers messed up. His face grew hotter as memories of Will’s lips and hands on him flooded his mind, he could still hear the echoes of his own voice, whiny and gasping, calling out Will’s name.
The whole night before flashed in front of his eyes. The bar, the shots, some guy named Carlton, ‘Head Over Heels’ blasting on the speakers. Mike wanted to disappear, convinced he was the most awful of friends, taking advantage of Will’s kindness. Even talking him into kissing him– No, making out with him.
He sat up, listening to his own heartbeat drumming in his ears.
Tomorrow, we’ll talk about this.
But you can’t run away, Mike.
His feet touched the cold ground, and he sighed. He had dug his grave, and he needed to stick the landing. Footsteps were light on the other side of the door, and he didn’t have to rationalize it. It was obviously Will, being that the bed was empty and it was Will’s apartment.
He pulled the door towards him, peeking outside of the room. He saw Will sitting on the couch, sketchbook on his lap and pencil in hand. He looked so focused, tracing fine lines on the paper. Mike stepped out of the room into the living room. It wasn’t until he was in front of the couch that Will looked up at him.
“Mornin’” Will said, he set the pencil in the middle of the sketchbook, closing it.
“Morning.” Mike said back, after thinking it too much he sat on the couch next to Will, leaving some space between them.
“You hungry? I put on some coffee for you, thought it’d help with your hangover.” Will pointed to the kitchen, he was about to stand up when Mike reached out for his shoulder.
“No, um. I’m okay.” He lied. His head hurt, he was dehydrated, he was very hungry and coffee sounded great actually.
“Don’t be silly, it’s just coffee.” Will said, brushing Mike’s hand off of his shoulder standing up and walking to the kitchenette. “After how much you had to drink last night, I can’t imagine how terrible you must feel.” Will sympathized with him, the smell of coffee pouring on a cup reached Mike’s nostrils, and he sighed.
Soon Will was back next to him, handing him a pill and his cup of coffee. Mike took a long sip, moaning in delight. Will smiled.
“Oh, I love coffee.” Mike mumbled under his breath. “Thank you.” He set the mug on the coffee table and cleared his throat.
“So,” Will started saying, “yesterday.”
“Before you say something,” Mike rushed to say, remembering Will’s worry from the night before “I just want to put it out there. I don't regret anything. And I sure as hell didn’t forget it. But for what it’s worth I am so sorry.”
“Mike-”
“No, Will. I am, I shouldn’t have forced you to kiss me or to take care of me. And I had no right to be jealous of you flirting with some other guy.” Mike explained, words leaving his mouth before he could stop them. If he had to repress his thoughts for one more second he was sure he would explode.
“‘Forced me’?” Will asked shifting in his place, to lean closer to Mike’s frame. “Mike, you didn’t force me to do anything.”
“You said ‘no’ and I didn’t care, I kept pushing.”
“I said ‘no’ because you weren’t thinking straight and I didn't want to cross a line that you couldn’t see.” Will explained, laying it out as simple as he could. His words were full of patience and tenderness, trying to help Mike understand his point of view. “And I did anyway, cross the line.” He added, slightly embarrassed. He wiped his hands on his sweats. “So I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?” Mike asked, “I wanted you to.”
“Still I shouldn’t have. It was wrong, you were drunk and-”
“Sober or drunk I’d want you to kiss me anyway, alright?” Mike blurted out, interrupting Will’s unnecessary apology, as he thought. “I wasn’t lying, Will.” He added, his voice becoming softer, going into that ‘Will’ register of his voice. “I’m in love with you.” He said slowly, the distance between them prevailed. Mike didn’t want to do anything stupid, and he didn’t want Will to think he was mistaking love with something superficial like lust.
“Yeah?” Will asked, a shy smile on the corner of his lips. Mike nodded with the same type of smile.
“Yeah. It took me a while but,” he said, fingers fidgeting against each other, picking at his nails nervously. “I was going crazy, I couldn’t stand not knowing about you and waiting months just to see your face and hear your laugh.” Examples started flying out of his mouth, a blabber of implied ‘I missed you’ flooding the place. “And after a very long conversation with Jane on the phone, she just pointed out the obvious.”
“Jane?” Will asked, slightly amused by the mention of his sister being involved in all of this.
“Figures talking to your ex-girlfriend about your current infatuation for her brother turned out to be, not only enlightening, but very effective” Mike joked an awkward laugh behind his eyes. He had feared this conversation for ages and Will just looked so pretty and receptive. Carefully listening to every word that came out of his mouth. “So, yeah.” He said, his head hung low for a second. “That’s the truth.”
Will remained silent, Mike’s anxiety running up his spine by the unresponsiveness of the boy whose body still lingered on Mike’s even after hours of pressing against each other. Will scoffed, closing his eyes and shaking his head.
“You’re ridiculous.” He said beneath his breath, his hand on his mouth covering the goofy smile he couldn’t contain.
“Ridiculous?” Mike asked, completely thrown off the bat, “Well, now I know how Jane felt when I called her that.”
“You know what they say, what goes around comes around.” Will laughed, leaning back on the couch. Tension left his body, at least the hard part of the conversation was over, and he could finally breathe again.
“Yeah, laugh it off, Byers” Mike said, his face flushed a shade of pink that made Will bite his smile.
“Come on, Mike.”
“No, I don’t think it’s funny. It was hard for me, Will.” Mike said, defensive about it. Will’s smile faded “I’m not like you, it wasn’t easy for me to come to terms with feeling… this.” It wasn’t easy for Will either, but he wasn’t going to try to compare experiences, circumstances were different, and it mattered. Invalidating Mike’s feelings was the least Will strived for. “I’m not brave and confident like you, I’m just me.”
“Just you.” Will repeated the words, followed by a soft ‘yeah’ coming from a very helpless Mike. “Well, I like ‘just you’.”
“Really?” Mike’s eyes sparked. He had always been insecure about so many things when it came to himself: the way he talked, the way he walked, the way he felt and loved. Will nodded his head, confident. “But do you like… like-like me or…?” Mike asked like he was a teenager again, anxiety running in his veins as he awaited rejection or something way way better.
“Mike, are you serious?”
“Well, I’ve already told you I love you at least three times and you’ve said nothing. What do you expect me to think?” He asked, throwing his hands in the air before letting them fall back to his sides. Will leaned his head back, neck stretched as he turned it slightly to his side, eyeing Mike.
“What do you want me to do about it?” None of them was sure where Will’s sudden confidence had come from, but a rush went down Mike’s spine, memories of last night coming back to mind along with some other things he’d be more than willing to indulge in.
Mike shifted closer, his body moving on his own to take what he had been craving for since the moment he realized he was head over heels for his best friend. His hand rested on Will’s chest, feeling the jolt of muscle beneath the piece of clothing.
“You could do that thing again.” Mike said, his face mere inches away from the other boy’s. The warmth feeling of anticipation pooling in the pit of his stomach, sending goosebumps all the way to the back of his neck.
“Do what?” The picture said it all, no need for the question to leave Will’s lips. But the sight of Mike looking so desperate for anything Will would be willing to give him made his pride bigger.
“Kissing me. Please.” The petition made him weak on the knees, he thought it was a good thing he was sitting down and not standing up. Hands shook as they cupped Mike’s jaw, drawing him closer. Lips barely there, getting Mike all worked up. “Will.”
They kissed slowly, not rushed and hungry like the night before. Sober Mike was desperate for Will’s tenderness and affection, he sighed into the kiss. Tension released as he let himself melt into the kiss and the warmth of Will’s fingertips ghosting over the skin of his lower back.
In a swift move Will pulled Mike onto his lap, the taller boy sitting on the edge of his thighs, leaning forward to deepen the kiss. Hands on his waist, Will praised Mike with his tongue slowly pushing between his lips. A whine slipped, grabbing onto dear life to the shirt Will hadn’t changed out of, both of them still in pajamas. Something so homey about their attire, so daily and comfortable.
Tongues moved with each other in a slow, sensual dance, the sound of their heavy breathing and spit exchange flooding the emptiness of the apartment. Mike’s body was sitting at a crossroads, unsure if it felt relaxed or extremely turned on by the slow make out session they had found themselves in. Will’s hands were firm on the small of his back, rubbing circles on the exposed skin to soothe Mike’s sudden quick breathing.
“You okay?” Will asked, pulling away for a second. He admired Mike’s face, freckles camouflaged with the pink tinge that spread all the way to the tip of his ears. Lips puffy and pink from the pressure applied to them, but Mike didn’t care. He’d kiss Will until his lips fell off if he was given the chance.
Mike hid his face on the crook of Will’s neck, bashful about how worked up he had gotten just from kissing slowly. He spread timid kisses along Will’s neck, basking in the slow breathing coming from the boy beneath him. One of Will’s hands left Mike’s back to catch on his hair, toying with it as he relaxed under Mike’s touch. He shifted, sitting higher up on Will’s thighs relishing the plushness of muscles beneath him, their chests flushed together.
Mike gasped at the feeling of Will’s hands sliding down to hold his ass, it was for a second before the hands returned to his back.
“Sorry” Will mumbled, too lost in the feeling of Mike’s lips on his neck.
“You can do that.” He assured, one of his hands grabbed Will’s to return it to where he ached for him to touch. “Sorry I’m flat.” Mike joked against his neck, remembering Will’s comment from the night before. The other boy let out a breathy laugh, but didn’t reply.
They stayed like that for a while, Will barely kneading on Mike’s ass while the other one left open mouthed kisses to his neck, tasting every inch of skin he could cover. Instinctively Mike shifted higher and higher on Will’s lap until their hips flushed and both of them groaned in surprise.
“Will” It came out along with a pant, breathless Mike ached for more. Will’s eyes had something predatory in them, pupils blown wide as he rolled Mike’s hips against his once again eventually setting in a rhythm. It was slow and sensual like their makeout session from moments ago, Will guiding the movements with such expertise, Mike wasn’t sure he wanted to know where he learned that from. Instead he’d let himself enjoy it.
“I want you so bad.” Mike gasped against his neck, still hiding even though his whole body was at Will’s disposal. Will opened his mouth, not really letting any sound escape.
A knock on the door startled them both, but Will’s ministrations did not cease.
“Ignore them.” Will whispered, too lost in the feeling of their pelvis gliding together. Mike complied, his head finally out of its hiding spot. This time he looked directly into Will’s eyes, whining at the sight.
Another knock made Will throw his head back in frustration.
“Will you there?” They both recognized Lucas’s voice on the other side of the door.
“Shit.” Will mumbled, he had forgotten all of his friends were in town and they still expected to hang out.
“Will, dude, come on. Open up!” This time it was Dustin’s voice that brought both of them back into reality. The spark of desire had died. Mike rolled his eyes, annoyed by his friend’s interruption.
“I’ll get it, you can go take a shower.” Will said, he brought his hands up to Mike’s jaw, bringing him close for a chaste kiss. Mike hummed and got up, quickly disappearing into the bathroom.
Will walked to the door and looked at the ceiling, trying to get himself together and return to his regular body temperature. He opened up the door with a friendly smile, the best one he could come up with.
“Were you still sleeping or something?” Dustin asked as he entered the apartment without expecting an invitation. Will pursed his lips.
“Yeah, something like that.” Jane and Max greeted him with a hug and made their way inside the living room.
“I brought Mike’s stuff, figured he’d stay with you.” Dustin dropped a suitcase on the floor next to the couch. “I see he’s up.” He added pointing at the folded sheets that sat untouched since the night before. Will bit his lips and mumbled ‘mhm’, his hands deep inside his pants’ pockets.
“Why are you still in your jammies?” Jane asked, looking up and down at Will.
“Mike’s in the shower.” He explained with ease, he sat on the one person couch, making himself comfortable in his own apartment.
“So what are we doing today?” Max asked, sitting uncomfortably on the armrest of the couch.
“We could go to the movies or go bowling?” Will offered “I only planned last night, sorry.”
“That’s fine. Oh, you know what? We should go to that place where there’s tons of board games!” Said Jane excitedly, hooking her arm around Dustin’s, patting his forearm.
“That sounds cool, let’s do it.” Dustin second her, everyone else agreed and sat down, chatting away waiting for both Mike and Will to get ready to leave. Will grabbed Mike’s luggage and knocked on the bathroom door.
“I have your things, Mike.” He said. The door opened the slightest, vapor escaping the bathroom and hitting Will’s face. Mike was behind the door, so the boy outside could only see his hand reaching out to grab the bag. Will chuckled and handed it to him, fingers grazing Mike’s hands almost too sensually.
The door closed and Will entered his own room to look through his clothes to find something to wear. Moments later the door opened, and Mike stood there, hair damp and cheeks pink from the sauna-bathroom and Will’s pajamas on his hands.
“This is yours.” He said, laying the folded clothes on the bed.
“Leave it there, you can use them again tonight.” Will said, turning back to his drawer, pulling out some boxers and socks to complete his outfit.
“Dustin brought my stuff, which includes pajamas, so it’s okay.” Mike shrugged it off, oddly nervous. He stood stiffly by the door, which remained wide open for all of his friends to see. Will eyed him briefly, an ephemeral look. He nodded, clothes in his hands he walked to Mike, words low just in case everyone else was watching.
“Or, you can just sleep in your underwear.” He quoted Mike from the night before, but this time Mike wasn’t sure Will was joking. His tone was way too serious, like he meant it. Will patted Mike’s shoulder as he left for the shower, leaving a flustered Mike standing still in the threshold of his room.
“Will!”