Chapter Text
Mike - Saturday, November 14th, 11:00 am
It’s been one week since Will and I got together. I’m afraid I’m spending too much time with him, but that doesn’t stop me from seeing him almost every day. So here I am, on his porch, knocking on his front door. Joyce opens it.
“Oh, hi Mike. I wasn’t expecting you.” she says.
“Sorry. Can Will and I hang out?” I ask.
“Sure.” she answers. “Will! Mike’s here!” she yells into the house.
Will runs out of his room, a bright smile on his face. We go into his room, and as soon as he shuts the door, he pulls me toward him, pushing himself against the wall. His soft lips touch mine, and I cup his cheeks.
“Will, I got some more wood for Castle Byers- oh. Sorry.” Jonathan’s standing in the doorframe.
“Are we not allowed to kiss in peace?” I wonder aloud.
“Again, I’m sorry.” Jonathan apologizes.
“It’s fine.” Will says. “Where’s the wood?”
“Out back. I’ll help you build it. Mike, do you want to help?” Jonathan asks.
“Sure. Yeah.” I reply. Jonathan shuts the door.
“What exactly is Castle Byers?” I ask once he’s gone.
“It was this fort I made in the woods a few years ago. I destroyed it last summer.” Will responds.
“Why?”
“I was . . . upset that you were dating El. And that you liked girls.” he says. “I was jealous. I wanted you to myself.”
“Will . . . I had no idea. I’m really sorry.” I say, my face softening. I drape my arms around him in an awkward hug.
“Th-thanks.” he stutters. “Let’s rebuild it.” He’s smiling like the sun.
We go outside, and pick up the wood along the way. Then we head toward the woods. Jonathan teaches us the logistics of building a fort so it won’t lean or be flimsy, and we get to work.
A few hours later, the actual fort is done. All that’s left is furbishment.
“Can you guys finish?” Jonathan asks. “Nancy and I were going to . . .” Jonathan trails off.
“Yeah. We got this. Go ahead.” Will answers.
Jonathan leaves, and we continue working in silence.
“And . . . we’re done! We rebuilt it!” I exclaim. “All that’s left is a name. Should we call it Castle Byers, like the original? Or maybe Castle Byers II? Or-”
Will cuts me off. “Let’s name it after both of us.”
“Okay. What do you have in mind?”
“What about . . . Castle Byler. Byers and Wheeler.” he says after a moment.
“I like it.” I say, and we go inside, sitting across from one another, staring into each other’s eyes.
“Mike?” Will asks.
“Yeah?”
“Is this . . . what love feels like?”
“If you’re feeling what I’m feeling, then yes.” I answer with a smile.
“Good to know.” he says, looking down with a smile.
“ . . . I love you, Will Byers.” I say after a minute.
“And I love you, Mike Wheeler.” he smiles, and leans in.
And let me just say it was the best uninterrupted kiss of all time.