Archive of Our Own

That damn painting. 

The bane of Will Byers-Hopper’s existence. 

His kryptonite. 

Staring right at him, pinned to the wall of Mike Wheeler’s bedroom. 

Why did he have to lie about who it came from?  

Then he wouldn’t be in this mess. 

“Woah, Will, you’ve really outdone yourself!” Dustin nodded to himself, leaning in to get a closer look of the painting. 

“Ah! Don’t touch it!” 

Smack! 

“What the-?! Ow?!” 

“Mike, that was uncalled for.” Lucas shook his head while Dustin silently cussed out Mike, rubbing the now red spot on his hand. 

“I don’t know where his hands have been!” 

“Dude??” Dustin’s jaw dropped, “are you saying my hands are dirty?” 

Mike huffed, annoyed that Dustin was even questioning his actions. “Well, yeah! I just saw you dig your hands in the popcorn bowl!” 

“I literally wiped my hands off!” 

“Can you guys not?” Max rolled her eyes. “Wheeler is just possessive over anything Will gives him, nothing new.” 

“I am not possessive!” Mike scoffed. “And why did all of you guys even have to come up to my room? I only asked for Will to help.” 

“You guys would end up taking too long.” Lucas chimed in. He grabbed a couple of blankets—the items Will and Mike were supposed to get. “Quicker this way.” 

Dustin chuckled. “You wouldn’t have even let Will carry anything anyway.” 

“Yeah, don’t want you two to start flirting and waste my time.” Max laughed. 

Mike’s lips pulled into a straight line as he and Max began to bicker. Dustin and Lucas just went ahead and started gathering blankets and pillows for the semi-fort in the basement for movie night. 

“This is the painting?” Jane asked, stepping over to Will. 

“Huh?” Will tore his gaze from Mike and Max and looked over to Jane. “The… uh…?” 

“The painting you wouldn’t let me see. I thought it was for a girl.” She smiled softly. Her eyes widened slightly as she took in every detail. “It’s pretty.” 

“Oh, uh, yeah. It was for… Mike, well the party really.” 

Jane hummed thoughtfully. She looked as if she had something she wanted to ask when a voice cut her off. 

“Didn’t you commission it?” Mike suddenly spoke, moving close to Jane. The two weren’t dating anymore. It was awkward the first few days with Mike ignoring Jane with the belief she wouldn’t want to speak to him anymore. But one day she came to the Wheeler house and the two shared a conversation Will wasn’t privy too. 

All Will knew was that the two were a crying mess and suddenly the best of friends. He was happy to see two of the most important people in his life patch things up. 

But it seemed he forgot about his stupid lie about Jane commissioning the painting. 

He never told Mike the truth and now it was about to bite him in the ass. In front of everyone. 

Will froze. His brain was working a mile a second to figure out what to say but Jane beat him to it. 

“Co-commissioned?” Jane muttered, taking a moment to understand Mike. “No, I never did. He wouldn’t even let me—” A hand clasped over Jane’s mouth—shutting her up. 

The party stared in shock as Will chuckled nervously. He gave them all a tight smile and gave a wide worried glance at Jane, hoping she’d understand him without needing to say a word. 

“Actually! Jane just forgot, I mean it’s been basically, what, two years since she commissioned it?” 

“Uh—?” Max raised an eyebrow. “Why’d you cover her mouth?” 

“Uhm.” Will’s lips pulled into a wobbly smile. “You guys should set up the fort. Jane and I will make some more popcorn!” He quickly began pushing Jane out of the bedroom despite her grunting against his hand. 

“But we made like four bags…” Dustin muttered as the bedroom door was kicked shut. 

“Weird.” Max and Lucas eyed each other. 

While Mike… Mike was confused. 

Very confused. 

“Ew!” Will shrieked, wet salvia covering his mouth as he pulled away from Jane. He rubbed his hand in his pants while Jane gave him a nasty glare. Her arms crossed against her chest as she impatiently tapped her foot on the ground. 

“Talk.” She said. There was no room for him to refuse. “Why’d you lie?” 

Lying. A cardinal sin in the eyes of Jane Byers-Hopper.   

Will nervously fidgeted with his hands before giving her a tight grin. “When I first gave Mike the painting I… might’ve told him it came from you.” 

“Why?” Her eyebrows furrowed, the glare softening. 

“I wasn’t—I couldn’t tell him I made it for him.” 

“…Why? Dustin told me you give him paintings all the time.” Jane frowned. She stepped closer to Will and gently grasped his hands, pulling them apart. “Mike would’ve been happy either way.” 

Will bit his bottom lip. His teeth rub against the soft skin. “Yeah, he would but then he would know… know that I…” his voice trails off. Even to this day, he couldn’t really say it. Robin had told him it won’t be easy but gosh he wished he could just get over it already. 

Stop thinking about Lonnie. He can’t hurt him. It wasn’t even that Will hated that he was gay. Robin certainly helped him with that feeling. No it was the fact he had to fall in love with his friend. His best friend. 

His first friend. 

Just his luck. 

“He knows now.” Jane’s smaller hands grip Will’s tightly. Her thumbs rubbing comforting circles on his palms. 

“Yeah. It’s not that. It’s that I like him. What if he’s disgusted or—”

“—Mike would never find you disgusting.” 

“I know but—”

“No buts.” Jane tugged him closer. She brings Will’s hands to her chest before bumping her forehead against Will’s chin. 

“What are you doing?” 

“Put your forehead against mines.” 

“Wh-Why?” 

“Do it.” 

Will pressed his forehead against hers. 

“Mike will never leave you. None of us will. We killed Vecna together and survived the Upside Down. Liking boys is the most normal thing you’ve ever done. Though choosing Mike is a little silly. He’s not a good boyfriend.” Jane giggled. 

Will joined her. 

“Maybe he’ll be better with you. You should tell him.” 

“Maybe.” 

They both pull away and give the other a smile. Will felt that Jane was a bit optimistic about Mike. He knew the nightmares he had about Mike brutally rejecting him was just silly. Especially now. But it wasn’t exactly easy to confess to your friend. 

A friend he would never want to lose. If he lost Mike, he didn’t know what he’d do. 

“Uh, Will.” 

Will and Jane jump, looking over to see Mike walk into the kitchen. Speak of the devil. 

“Mike.” Will breathed out, “sorry, we were—”

“I should go help Dustin with the fort. Don’t forget to bring the popcorn.” Jane interrupted. She gave Will an encouraging smile, a grin way too wide to be natural, before dashing off. 

Mike didn’t even seem to really notice that she was gone. His gaze focused solely on Will and only Will. The stare made Will’s body involuntarily shiver. He glanced behind himself and quickly grabbed a bag of popcorn, popping it into the microwave. 

Even with his back turned to Mike, he felt the boy stare at his back. 

“Did Jane not commission the painting?” Mike’s voice cut through the silence. The low hum of the microwave brought little comfort as Will silently cursed to himself. 

“No.” He whispered. There was no point in continuing the lie. “Sorry, I know you hate lying.” 

Friends don’t lie. 

Lying was a cardinal sin to Mike Wheeler as well. How could Will forget? 

“It’s-it’s fine. I just, why?” 

“I can’t even remember why. At that moment it looked like you needed it.” Will glanced back at Mike. He couldn’t decipher the look in Mike’s eyes. It was strange. 

Will felt like Mike could always understand him. Understand any little look or change in Will’s demeanor. 

He thought he could do the same for Mike. And normally he could. Right now he couldn’t. He didn’t know what emotion Mike was feeling. 

“I needed it?” Mike’s tongue poked inside his cheek. He looked a little agitated. Will tried to ignore the odd feeling in his stomach at his actions. Mike getting angry shouldn’t be hot to him. “Sure, yeah, I guess I did. You didn’t need to lie, you never do, Will. The painting being from you would’ve helped me just as much.” 

“It would?” 

“What—? Of course it would. Will, I keep every painting you give me.” Mike let out a laugh, flailing his hand around. Will knew this emotion from Mike. “If I knew, I, I don’t know, the painting being from you is—it changes everything. Then the words you told me in the van was that—that couldn’t have been Jane too. It was—?” 

The sound of the microwave beeping cut Mike off. Will quickly turned around to pull the popcorn out while Mike silently groaned in frustration behind him. 

“We should go join them.” Will said. He poured the popcorn into a bowl, “we shouldn’t keep them waiting.” 

Mike hummed. He easily took the bowl from Will without any hesitation. Will allowed him. The bowl hardly weighed a thing. But whenever Mike was around, Will never holds anything. 

The fort in the basement was a mess. It hardly resembled a fort. Jane and Dustin sat together, a bowl nestled on Dustin’s lap. Max and Lucas sat right next to them, sharing their own bowl. Mike plopped down at the end as Will sat between him and Max. 

If Max and Mike sat right next together—there would be no movie watching. 

“Took you long enough.” Max said, lowering her voice when Lucas shushed her. She rolled her eyes. “You were about to miss the movie.” 

“It’s Jaws. We’ve seen this multiple times already.” Mike didn’t even spare her a glance as he pulled a spare blanket across Will’s lap. “Do you need an extra pillow?” He whispered, his hand already reaching to grab another pillow. 

“No. Thanks though.” Will smiled. 

“Hey don’t move the pillows, you’ll mess up the fort.” Max suddenly spoke. 

Mike glared at Max. “You call this a fort?” 

“It’s better than whatever you could’ve come up with.” 

“I’ll have you know that I make great forts!”

“Sure.” 

“Will knows. He’s been in my fort and loved it.” 

“Will would’ve loved it if you actually got that stupid orange Mohawk. Sorry if I don’t trust his tastes when it comes to you.” 

“You take that back!” 

“Oh my god, shut up!” Lucas sighed. 

“Did you just tell me to shut up?” Max turned back to face her boyfriend who quickly sat up straight and stared at the tv. 

“What?” His voice was high pitched as he nervously began to sweat. “Never. I told Mike to shut up. I can hear his whiny voice over the film.” 

Mike gasped in disbelief. “My voice is not whiny!” 

“Guys, this is Jane’s first time watching Jaws, shush!” Dustin cut in before another argument started. Finally everyone decided to shut up so Jane could enjoy Jaws. 

Will tried paying attention even though he had watched this film multiple times with Jonathan and Joyce. He could even repeat the lead actor’s lines word for word. His eyes felt a little heavy as he stifled a yawn. 

A hand gently tapped his thigh underneath the blanket. He glanced to his right to see Mike already looking at him. Mike leaned in close, his lips brushing against Will’s ear as he whispered, “tired?” 

A shiver shot through Will’s back. This was normal. It’s normal. Mike has whispered in his ears multiple times before. This was fine. 

Will nodded, not trusting himself to speak at the moment. 

Mike chuckled and Will thought he was going to combust. His hands dug into his pants as he tried to ground himself. Keep calm. Think of Hopper’s flat square butt. 

“You can rest your head on my shoulder.” His breath tickled Will’s ears. “They won’t care if you take a nap.” 

Will hummed. This was also normal. The amount of times the party used to accidentally cuddle when watching movies was ridiculous. Will had cuddled with Lucas and Dustin a few times. He just didn’t know if he could handle that with Mike now. 

He didn’t exactly get to question if he would when Mike’s hand suddenly rested on his head. Mike slowly guided Will to rest his head on his shoulder with no hesitation. Will couldn’t help the quiet squeak he let out. 

Max gave Will a slide glance. She took in the sight and silently smirked to herself. 

Bony. 

It was a little bony.

Mike Wheeler wasn’t a muscular guy by any means and Will was fine with that. He wasn’t a Lucas Sinclair. But Jesus. 

His shoulder didn’t feel as comfortable as he thought it would be. It felt like his shoulder bone was cutting into his soft cheek. Slightly uncomfortable really. However Will would rather die than move. He wanted to savor the moment. 

Who’s to say he would get a chance like this again? 

“Will. Will.” 

“Hngh?” 

“It’s late. You gotta head home.” 

Will opened his eyes, having not realised he even fell asleep, to see the party folding up the sheets. Dustin seemed to have already left. Lucas and Max were about ready to leave. Jane was holding Will’s jacket as she smiled knowingly at him. 

“I can drive you both home.” Mike spoke. His voice echoed in Will’s ears. He didn’t understand why. The bony shoulder that he had actually gotten used to was no longer there. He was laying on something flat. 

“Careful, Mike’s a crazy driver.” Lucas called as he and Max began walking upstairs. “Night!” 

“Don’t crash, Wheeler.” Max laughed. 

“I can drive just fine!” Mike tried defending himself as Jane giggled. 

Will yawned. He opened his eyes some more to realize why he was resting against something flat. Mike’s chest. He was sleeping on Mike’s chest. Mike seemed to have leaned back so Will could curl up on his side, resting his head on his chest as a makeshift pillow. 

Oh gosh. 

“You okay?” Mike asked just as Will pulled away. “You were out the entire night.” 

“I—?” 

“You missed the other movies we watched.” Jane said, reaching over to help Will stand up. “We are going to start Nightmare on Elm Street next time—you can’t fall asleep then.” 

“Definitely I won’t. Uh, I didn’t mean to…” Will glanced at Mike as he watched him stand up. “To sleep on you for that long.” 

Mike smiled, “it’s fine. Really. It was kind of comforting… cause y’know, body heat, uh, you just felt really warm. It felt like you were my personal heater. Not that… not that I’m calling you a uh, my property? It’s just a—uhm, let’s go before Hopper kills me for missing your curfews.” He waved his hand as he quickly rushed upstairs. 

Jane grinned and poked Will’s cheek. “You were drooling.” 

“What?!” 

Mike was a terrible driver. 

A few days had passed after the painting situation and after Will learned just how terrible of a driver Mike was. Somehow Mike drove too fast but also too slow and was able to avoid getting into an accident. It was a miracle really. In any case, Mike hadn’t brought up the painting again. 

Will wondered what Mike was going to say before the microwave went off. He had an idea. Mike definitely would’ve mentioned the little speech Will had given him in the van. 

‘El needs you.’ 

Would he have asked if Will meant himself? That he needed Mike? He certainly did. Even now he needed Mike. He wanted Mike. 

Despite the elephant in the room, Mike hadn’t brought it up again. He hadn’t changed the way he treated Will so Will was going to believe Mike didn’t care about it anymore. Hopefully. Everyone was starting to get ready for college so that could’ve been it. 

It seemed less important in the grand scheme of things. 

Yeah. 

Yeah, everything was fine. 

Except not really. 

Because when has anything ever been easy for Will? 

It had officially reached two weeks since the paintinggate and Will had almost even forgotten all about it. The party had gone to a lake to hang out for a little bit. Afterwards, Max and Jane headed to Max’s house for a sleepover while the original party headed to Mike’s for their own sleepover. 

They watched a movie for only a few minutes before Dustin and Lucas were knocked out. Will soon followed while Mike went up to his room to sleep. There wasn’t much space anyway. Will took the couch while Lucas and Dustin shared a spare mattress. 

Around 3 am, Will suddenly felt cold. A little too cold. He had jolted awake and felt uncomfortable. Goosebumps coated his skin as he tugged at his pajama shirt. His hair was messy and sticking in different directions. He tried to lay back down and go back to sleep but he couldn’t. 

He needed an extra blanket. 

Or maybe a sweater. 

Will sighed to himself as he slowly climbed upstairs, careful to not make any noises. He didn’t want to bother Mike over something so silly so he was hoping the spare closet had some blankets he could steal. 

His sock covered feet walked across the carpeted floors, almost passing by Mike’s room door, when a low groan stopped him in his tracks. He blinked slightly. His eyes still heavy with sleep. If he was less drowsy—he wouldn’t have mistaken that groan for something it wasn’t. 

He stepped over to the door. His ears pressed against the wood as he heard another long pulled out groan. A groan that stuttered as if Mike was out of breath. Will frowned. Was Mike having a nightmare? He reached down to grasp the doorknob only to find out the door wasn’t fully closed. 

Will gently pressed against the door and pushed forward, peering in to see something he would’ve never expected. 

Mike, pants down, underwear down, hand gripping the painting—that painting, while the other stroked his… 

Will gasped. 

“What the—?!” Mike cursed as he shoved the painting away and pulled up his blankets for some modesty before looking over at his door. His eyes were wide, even wider than humanly possibly as his lips parted but nothing came out of his mouth. 

“I—” 

“It’s not—!” 

Will and Mike stared at each other. Really stared at each other. Will’s eyes flickered to the blanket that now held a small little tent where Mike’s dick was being covered. He whimpered at the sight. 

“Uhm.” Will muttered. He felt as if he was burning up. No need for any type of sweater or blanket. He was melting in his clothes. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have barged in. You can… continue…” he was just about to slam the door shut, remembered everyone was asleep, and decided to slowly close it. This time he made sure it was actually closed. 

He silently rushed to the basement. Climbed onto the couch and covered himself with the blanket. 

Sleep. He needed to sleep. 

The sound of chatter at 8 am didn’t even wake up Will because he didn’t sleep at all last night. He was wide awake, replaying the sounds of Mike’s groan… no, moaning. It was dark so he didn’t get a good look at his dick but he did get a good look at that god forsaken painting!!!! 

He should’ve left it in Lenora. 

Wait. 

Why was Mike using his painting as masturbation material? 

Was he masturbating… to the dragon? 

What else could he have been thinking about? 

Will wanted to scream. He needed to go home and tell Jane. Or maybe Jonathan would be better. He didn’t know. He needed to tell someone! Anyone! 

“Oh my gosh, Baby Byers! This is… woah,” Robin rubbed her temple as she closed her eyes. 

Yeah, who else could he have told besides Robin? 

And he guessed Steve too. 

Steve seemed petrified at Will’s confession. He was staring at Will with wide eyes and his lips pulled into a frown. Perhaps he had unfortunately begun to envision the sight.”

Robin laughed. “I can’t, I can’t even imagine this.” 

“I wish I couldn’t.” Steve whispered. 

Will sighed. “I didn’t know what to do! I couldn’t even face him. I just left the Wheeler’s before Mike woke up. Lucas and Dustin were weirded out, they thought I was possessed again or something!” 

“Well this certainly means something.” Robin said. “He likes you.” 

“A little too much.” Steve chimed in. 

“Like me…? No way.” 

“Uh, Baby Byers, you found him late at night, masturbating to a painting. A painting that you made, just for him!” 

“It’s like finding out he was masturbating to a porn magazine with a model that looks a little too similar to you.” Steve nodded, “he definitely likes you.” 

“But why a painting? It would be less weird if he just used a porn magazine.” Robin shook her head. 

“I thought you would know. I thought it was a gay thing.” 

Robin glared at Steve. “Woah, maybe a gay guy thing but certainly not for me.” 

“But what should I do?” Will whined. 

“Will,” Robin gave Will a grin. “You asked me about signals before. This is… let’s just say it’s a huge signal!” 

“A horny signal.” Steve laughed. 

“Look at it this way, the avalanche started. There’s no way you can ignore this. You’ll have to talk to each other soon.” 

Well, Robin Buckley didn’t know how much of a coward Will Byers-Hopper can be. 

And how far he would go to preserve his and Mike’s friendship. 

Going as far as to continually ruin Jonathan and Nancy’s dates.

“So.” Nancy sighed slightly. She pursed her lips as she glanced over at Will who was sitting across from her at the diner. Jonathan gave her a weak smile. “It’s been a week now and you’ve tagged along all of our dates. What did Mike do?” 

Will flinched and glanced down at the kid menu he was doodling on with crayons. “Nothing…” 

“Cut the crap. You and Mike are tethered together to the point I’m sure he’ll croak not even a minute after you die because he can’t survive without you. He’s obsessed and so are you.” Nancy pointed a finger at Will and raised an eyebrow. “Did you argue?” 

“Maybe.” 

“Hm. Maybe.” She laughed softly. 

Jonathan frowned. “Really, Will, you can tell us anything.” 

“I’ll knock some sense into Mike if I have to. Though you should know—he’s been acting like an asshole since you started ignoring him. Well, worse than usual.” 

“It’s… nothing really. It’s technically my fault—I’m ignoring him. I just, I don’t know how to face him right now.” Will whispered. He placed the crayon on the table and sighed, finally glancing up at Nancy and Jonathan. 

“Did you confess?” Jonathan and Nancy asked at the same time. 

“What?! No! Wait, how’d you—?!” 

“Who doesn’t know?” Nancy said nonchalantly, taking a fry from Jonathan’s plate. 

“He didn’t react badly did he?” Jonathan muttered, his gaze darkening. 

“No, no! I didn’t tell him anything. I… I saw him doing something.” 

“Doing what…?” 

“Uhm.” 

Nancy struggled to stop her laughter while Jonathan looked paler than normal. 

“I can’t, I can’t believe he really did that.” Nancy shook her head, “that’s why you’re scared to talk to him?” 

“Who wouldn’t be?” Will pouted. 

Nancy almost cooed at his pout. “Well you can’t exactly hide forever. Mike would go insane. More insane than he already is. He keeps asking if I’ve spoken to you.” 

Jonathan nodded in agreement, “you don’t have to force yourself but Mike’s going to get…” he trailed off and shrugged slightly. “You know how he gets. Just talk it out. It’ll be worse the longer you drag it out.” 

Will hated that Jonathan and Nancy were reasonable adults. He really did. There was really only one other person he could hide behind to stay away from Mike. 

Jim Hopper. 

When Will had suddenly said he wanted to join Hopper at work on Monday morning—Joyce, Jonathan, and Jane all stared at him like he had stated he wanted to join the military. Hopper was confused but simply agreed. He wanted to get Jonathan and Will comfortable with him as their step-dad so any form of bonding was necessary. 

Even if it was sudden and out of character for Will to want to hang out with the town sheriff. 

Just before he had left, Jane had given Will a frown and shook her head. She didn’t know what was with Will but she knew that him ignoring Mike was sending Mike into a ‘silent’ psychosis. Though it wasn’t silent at all, Mike called the Byers-Hopper house every day. 

The reason he hadn’t shown up there was because he was still a little terrified of Hopper. But Jane knew Mike was about to fight that fear if Will continued with his shenanigans any longer. 

The rest of the party had no clue what was happening but Will was ignoring them as well in fear of them trapping him to get Mike to talk to him. He just had to be cautious about everything. 

“So,” Hopper looked over at Will who was sitting in the corner, sketching away, “everything alright?” The two were in Hopper’s office with nothing to really do. It was certainly welcomed after the hellish years with the Upside Down and Vecna. But damn was it boring to just file useless paperwork. 

“Huh? Yeah, everything’s cool.” 

“Mhm.” 

It was silent. 

“I don’t know much about you and Mike and I don’t like him. But he’s been calling the house everyday.” 

“Yeah…” 

“So it’s best if you handle—check in on him. The phone bill is going to get expensive soon.” 

Will chuckled. “Okay. Yeah, I’ll talk to him. I don’t know, I just needed to think. Or maybe calm down.” 

“Did he do something?” Hopper’s voice scarily dropped an octave, eyes narrowing. 

“No! No, nothing like that. But yeah, everyone’s right. I’ll talk to him this weekend.” 

There was a comfortable silence between them. The sound of paper shuffling and Will’s pencil gliding against the paper. 

“What should I say?” Will frowned, whispering into the phone. “How do I explain to him that I’m sorry for ignoring him but I was shocked that he was masturbating to my painting?” 

“I’m still so shocked that Mike masturbated to your painting and that you told me.” Max laughed. 

“I can’t explain this to Jane and no way was I going to ask Lucas or Dustin for help. I didn’t want to tell anyone else because it feels like I’m exposing Mike’s secret.” 

“Who else did you tell?” 

“Robin… Steve… Jonathan… and Nancy…” 

“Did you want to tell Erica too?” 

“Max!” 

Max’s cackling filled his ear. “Okay, okay. Well this isn’t surprising. Mike is into you? Shocker!” 

Will sighed, biting his lip. “Seriously, what should I do?” 

“What you always do. Bat your pretty little eyelashes and tell him you were just nervous. Then you two kiss and stop this will-they-won’t-they in front us. It’s soooo boring.” 

“I don’t bat my eyelashes…” Will couldn’t help but giggle. “Do you really think he likes me?” 

“Will.” Max sighed. “He basically confessed first by shamelessly masturbating to your painting while you were still in the house. But Wheeler’s always been shameless. I think you are the only one who thinks he doesn’t like you. He treats you differently from everyone else.” 

“Really?” 

“Gosh. Yes! You ignored him for just a week and he’s been calling me everyday, whining on if you’ve talked to me! I can’t take it anymore, Will. With the way you’ve ignored him—he’ll probably go crazy at the sight of you.” 

“Okay, okay.” Will turned the phone cord on his finger. “I’ll talk to him. I never ignored him like this before. I hope he isn’t too mad.” 

“Mike Wheeler is physically incapable of being angry at you. Now go make up so I can get some peace!” 

“Bye, Max.” 

“Bye, good luck.” 

“Uh, Will,” Joyce called out from the living room. 

“Yeah?” Will hung up the phone and walked over to the living room, confused to see his mother looking to be a bit frazzled. “Everything okay?” 

Joyce frowned. “It’s Mike,” she stated, looking back at the front door. “He’s out there on the porch just drenched but he won’t come inside. I’m not sure what’s—Will?” 

Will had rushed outside without a second thought. He didn’t need to hear anything else to know that Mike needed him. Mike was indeed outside but he was no longer on the porch, but instead by his car. 

To say he was drenched was an understatement. His shirt clung to his skin, his usual fluffy hair stuck to his face, covering his eyes. He shot up when the front door closed behind Will and a wide, almost dog-like grin pulled on his lips. 

“Mike? Why are you out here like this?” Will sprinted over to him, ready to tug him inside. His hand gripped Mike’s arm but Mike pulled away. He grasped Will’s face and stared at him as if he was taking him in. “Mike…?” 

“Will, I-I think I started going crazy.” 

“Why?” 

“Why, of course because you weren’t speaking to me! And it’s literally all because I—I, y’know! I disgusted you and I didn’t know what to do, I was so scared, so scared Will that you didn’t want to talk to me anymore and I just can’t live with myself if you ever decided that I don’t even want to imagine a—”

“Mike, Mike!” Will felt his cheeks heat up. He was insecure, having believed Mike would never return his feelings, but even he could tell what Mike was alluding to. And it was freaking him out. Robin was right. Everyone was right. “Why are you wet? You’re going to catch a cold.” 

“I was going crazy, I took a cold shower.” 

“With your clothes on?!” 

“Yes. Will, please just let me finish. I know doing ‘that’ your painting was disgusting, especially if you, if you wanted to be friends, but I think…no, I know that I’m in love with you. I don’t know when, I don’t know for how long, but I want you. I need you. I need you in my life, Will.” Mike pulled away from Will as he grabbed Will’s hands, pressing them against his chest. 

Will could feel the fast rapid movement of Mike’s heartbeat. The wetness of his shirt. His white shirt that clung to his body like a skin tight suit. Will quickly glanced up to look Mike in the eye. 

Mike stared right back. “And this want, it’s pure but it’s also so… nasty, it’s, it’s, s…sexual! It’s not just hugs and kisses I want with you and I know that’ll make you uncomfortable but it’s the truth. Will, I love you and I want you, and I used the painting because now I know those words in the van were from you. It was always you and I just felt so relieved that…” 

“Mike.” Will interrupted him. He watched as Mike took a few deep breaths, struggling to keep calm after his rambling. “It’s not disgusting. I would never think you’re disgusting. I was just shocked because I thought you didn’t like me that way.” 

Thunder rumbled through the air. It was going to rain. Will’s memories with the rain weren’t exactly great. The argument that led to the destruction of Castle Byers sometimes replayed in his head. 

He almost remembered that cruel feeling he had when Mike had said those words to him. 

But it was washed away when Mike pulled him into a kiss. He bent down, both hands cradling Will’s face, almost knocking him off his feet. Will’s hands gripped at Mike’s shirt as rain began to pour down on them. 

His first kiss was wet. 

It was a little messy. Will had no experience while Mike had plenty. He took the lead without hesitation, his hands slowly sliding down Will’s clothes. Hands trailing down until Mike grasped Will’s ass. Will’s eyes opened wide as he moaned. 

Mike eagerly swallowed each and every gasp Will let out. He pressed his body against Will’s and pushed him towards his car. Will’s back hit the hood of the car as Mike’s hand slid down further to grasp the back of his thighs. 

Will wrapped his arms around Mike’s neck as he laid down on the hood of Mike’s car. His hips twitched upwards. Mike had started off slow with the kiss, as if he was trying to get Will comfortable, but soon he realized he couldn’t wait much longer. 

He couldn’t hold back. 

Mike bit down on Will’s lip, earning a shuddered gasp. His eyes focused solely on Will—drinking in his every move as he pressed wet kisses all over Will’s neck and down his chest. 

“Mike… Mike, we shouldn’t stay outside.” Will moaned out. He was beginning to slip down on the hood from the wet rain. Mike pressed his body forward to stop Will from sliding off. His bangs were covering his eyes, taking away Will’s ability to read Mike’s emotions. “Mike?” 

Will squeaked like a mouse as Mike picked him by his thighs. The fact Mike Wheeler of all people could carry him was a dream come true. Also he never expected someone who wheezed after walking for over thirty minutes to be able to carry him. 

Will expected Mike to take him inside, knowing he would have to come up with some sort of explanation to his mom, when the car door was pulled open. “Huh?” 

Mike placed Will into the car before entering himself, closing the door. He sat on the long bench seat of the car. Thank god his dad got him a Ford LTD Crown Victoria—or something like that. Will couldn’t remember car names. 

“Sit on my lap.” 

“What?” 

Will watched as Mike patted his lap. He watched as Mike pushed back his wet bangs, revealing his eyes that were dark with arousal. Mike didn’t wait another second as he tugged at Will’s shirt. 

“Come here.” He whispered. 

Rain pattered against the car. It was an ambience that drowned out any second thoughts Will had. He didn’t think anymore. 

He just moved. 

Mike’s hands found themselves on his hips. They were bigger than Will thought. It wasn’t the only thing that was bigger than he imagined. He licked his lips. Mike didn’t say a word as he roughly tugged Will closer. Will’s hand shot forward to stabilize himself, gripping Mike’s shoulders. 

He stared down at Mike. Water dripped down his face, dripping down onto Mike’s. Hands tightened around Will’s hips as Mike lifted him slightly. He maneuvered him to sit down directly on Mike’s crotch. Over his dick. 

Will shuddered. “Mike…” 

“Shh,” Mike leaned forward and nipped at his skin. The wet pale skin that was slowly being decorated with small red marks. “I’ve been dreaming of this moment. Let me take care of you.” 

Mike rutted upwards, startling Will forward. Will sighed as they rutted against each other. His hand tangled themselves into Mike’s wet curls. The other pressed against the window as he tried to stabilize himself. 

Each rut sent a strong ripple of pleasure throughout Will’s body. Soft short moans left his lips. He felt restricted in his jeans. The need to free himself to really feel any sort of relief took over. He released Mike’s hair and reached down to unbuckle his jeans when a hand suddenly grasped his wrist. 

Will’s eyes widened as he stared down at Mike. 

“I said,” Mike whispered, his voice in a tone he had never heard before. A tone that demanded obedience. “Let me take care of you.” He guided Will’s hand to rest on his chest as he himself reached down between Will’s thighs. His hand squeezed Will’s bulge, earning a whimper from the boy on his lap. 

Mike was slow—almost teasing as he tugged open Will’s jeans. Will’s back arched as Mike continued to practically hump Will’s ass. The air tickled his skin, Mike pulling down Will’s pants and boxers. He patted Will’s butt as a signal to lift his hips. 

Will followed his command as he was stripped out of his pants and boxers. He couldn’t even feel embarrassed about being semi-nude in front of his crush (boyfriend?) when all he wanted to do was cum. 

“Mike,” Will gasped. He blushed as Mike pressed two fingers against his lips. His lips were slowly parted as Mike pushed them into his mouth. There were no words, no commands. But Will knew what he needed to do as he sucked on Mike’s fingers to get them wet.  

“Good boy.” Mike whispered when he pulled his fingers out. Will whimpered. Maybe Mike did read a porn magazine as well. 

Mike reached down with his free hand to tug at his belt but Will grasped his hand. The two stared at each other as Will pressed a kiss on Mike’s nose. Mike silently pulled his hand away and leaned further back, watching Will as he unbuckled Mike’s belt. 

Will slowly tugged the belt from the belt loops. His gaze was solely on Mike’s, even as he popped open Mike’s pants. Slowly tugging down his boxers to let his dick free. Their dicks pressed against each other—earning a groan from them both. 

“Are you going to…?” Will muttered. 

“Not in the car.” Mike smirked slightly. “Another time.” He pressed a kiss on Will’s collarbone. His hand cupped Will’s bare ass, his two wet fingers slipping close to his hole. Salvia was never really a good substitute for lube so Will worried the penetration would be painful. 

But Mike didn’t penetrate him. 

No, he pressed his finger against Will’s hole. Circled around the rim, teasing to push in but made no real attempt. Will couldn’t believe it. He was going to be teased into an orgasm. 

Mike used his other hand to grasp both his and Will’s cock. Pre-cum leaking from the tips as he rutted against Will. Pleasure shot through Will’s body from the stimulation on both sides of his body. 

The teasing around his rim, the friction on his cock caused him to lose it. He leaned back in pure pleasure. A loud broken cry leaving him just as his hand shot back and accidentally pressed on the steering wheel. 

The car honked but neither him nor Mike cared. Pleasure was all they cared about now. Will felt his eyes water, his eyelashes still wet from the rain. The car felt hot and stuffy—the windows fogging up as it began to rock slightly from the force of Mike’s rutting. 

It honked again as Will cried out once more. 

Mike pushed Will forward to where his back pressed against the steering wheel. He captured his lips into a hot kiss as he rutted into Will with a quickening pace. The car honked with each rut, a loud moan leaving Will as he reached his climax. 

It was better than any type of masturbation Will had done before, that was for sure. Mike soon came right after him—cumming right over his shirt. 

Their heavy breathing filled the car. Warm, wet skin stuck together as the thunderstorm continued to rage on outside. Maybe it drowned out the car’s honk. 

Possibly. 

“You okay?” Mike’s voice took Will out of his thoughts. His voice was once again light and soft, a voice he only reserved for Will. 

Will nodded. “Mhm, more than okay,” he hesitated for a moment before leaning up and kissing Mike on his lips. Mike eagerly returned the kiss. It almost turned into another round when Mike pulled away and let out a wet nasty, snot filled sneeze. 

“Ew!” 

“Sorry!!” 

“Now how did you both get sick at the same time?” Nancy sighed, staring at the sight of her brother and his boyfriend (finally) cuddled on the bed. She was visiting Jonathan like usual and found Mike in Will’s bed. Not the strangest thing. 

It was when Mike kissed Will that she was shocked. 

Also shocked to see them both sick. 

“Long story.” Mike said but made no real attempt to explain himself. He only pulled Will closer to lay against his chest. “Go, Will’s sick, he needs time to rest.” A wet sneeze left Mike. 

“Sure.” Nancy rolled her eyes. “Well, glad to see you two made up. Maybe close the door next time you masturbate, Mike.” She said, closing the door. 

“Wait! How did she??” Mike glanced down at a nervous looking Will. “Please don’t tell me anyone else knows??” 

“Uhm, Robin, Steve, and Jonathan might know.” 

“Just them?!” 

“And… Max.” 

“I’m so screwed. She’s never going to let me live that down!!”