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Chapter Text

He follows his older brother out to his car and gets in the front seat, snatching his seatbelt and clicking it into place.

Jonathan closes the driver’s door and starts the ignition. He lets the windshield wipers wipe over the windshield for a minute or two, urging the bits and pieces of freshly fallen snow off.

He turns up the heat and slowly backs out of the parking lot of Hawkins Middle, cautious of any ice that may be starting to appear on the concrete.

It’s quiet for a few minutes in the car until he speaks up.

“Did you have fun?”

Will shrugs. “Yeah, it was fine.”

The youngest Byers adjusts his light blue tie, straightening up in his seat a little. He’s exhausted, but he can’t complain. Well, not completely. The Snowball was fun. He just… wanted more out of it.

Jonathan hums as he takes in Will’s words.

“Did you, you know, did you dance?”

Will feels himself tense up, images of the girl in front of him beaming, bright blue, white, and gold lights reflecting off her eyes, and the slow songs ringing in his ears and replaying in his brain.

“Yeah, I did.” He clears his throat. “With a girl.”

Jonathan nods an affirmative. “Uh huh,” he says absently, carefully turning a slippery corner. “Who?”

“Um, Katie. Katie Churchington.” Will internally cringes at the shudder in his voice. It’s not that has a problem with Katie, it’s just…

“How was that?”

“I um… I didn’t exactly want to dance with her.”

Jonathan gives him a curious eyebrow quirk. “No?”

Will shakes his head, looking out the window.

His brother smiles at the windshield. “Nerves?”

He swallows. That could be a valid excuse. But…

“No. I- I mean, I don’t know. It’s like…” he trails off. Jonathan side-eyes him. “I just didn’t wanna dance. Not with her…”

Even with his whispered words at the end there, Jonathan gives him a quick glance.

“With who, then?”

Will huffs. He looks at Jonathan. Studies his expression. Jonathan looks a little cautious about the potentially precarious roads, but overall, he looks… peaceful. More than he’s looked in a long time. Will knows. He sees how Jonathan looks at Nancy.

“Jonathan?” He voices. His brother hums in acknowledgement. “How did you know you like Nancy?”

The older Byers boy pauses, biting his lip in thought. Eyes scan the road as he turns another corner. Finally, he gives a small, sheepish shrug, as if he’s embarrassed to be talking about it.

“I guess I just… I’ve kind of always known, you know? I mean…” Jonathan squeezes the wheel tighter and shrugs again, a nervous habit. “I would look at her, or think about her, and just… feel happy. I might smile, or feel like… a flutter in my chest. I might… stare.” He looks a bit embarrassed. “And sometimes it would freak me out, or like, make me feel weird. But it was never uncomfortable. It was like… even if I thought I should, I didn’t really mind feeling something towards her.”

Will nods slowly, taking Jonathan’s words in and mulling over them for a minute.

“So… how did it feel? I mean, like… admitting to yourself that you were into her?”

Jonathan smiles lightly. “It… it felt… good. Like a weight was off my shoulders. That even if I didn’t want to share it with anyone, I knew that just someone knowing, even just myself, that was enough. I felt… normal.”

He glances over when Will goes quiet.

“Why are you asking about my feelings?”

Will blinks back to reality. “Um. I’m just… curious.”

Jonathan gives him a small smirk. “Why? You like someone?”

Will flushes a little. Jonathan chuckles.

“Yeah? Who is she?”

Will looks down at his lap. This is it. I guess it’s now or never. I can trust Jonathan. He… he won’t judge me. Right…?

“It-” He takes a deep breath. “It’s not a she.”

Jonathan quirks a brow. “No? Well, who is he?”

Will startles. What?

“Wait, what?”

Jonathan looks back at him. Will stares, mouth agape.

“You like someone. Who is he?”

Will swallows. “You- you’re not… you’re not mad?”

Jonathan raises a brow. “Why would I be mad?”

He slumps against the seat, looking out the windshield.

“Because… because I’m…”

His brother looks at him, almost as if daring him to finish the sentence. He swallows again.

“I know,” Jonathan whispers. Will’s heart is in his throat. “I know, and it’s ok.” He smiles softly as the latter looks at him. “I’m not mad.”

Will’s chest warms a bit, and he stares at his brother. “You’re not?”

Jonathan shakes his head. “No. ‘Course not. Do you really think, after all we’ve been through, what with Dad, and the Upside Down, that I’d care about that?”

Will shrugs. He does have a point. His eyes suddenly widen.

“Oh no. If Dad found out-”

“Dad is gone,” Jonathan reminds him. It looks like it pains him to say as much as it pains Will to hear. But he’s right. Lonnie is gone. Thank God.

“So you… you’re really not mad?” Will asks again, just to be sure. “You don’t… you don’t hate me?”

Jonathan gives him an incredulous look. “What? No, of course not. I’d never hate you. And I wouldn’t judge you for your preferences. Remember what I told you. You shouldn’t like things just cause…”

“People say you’re supposed to,” Will finishes in a whisper. He smiles slightly at him. “Thanks, Jonathan.”

The latter smiles and silence falls between them. Jonathan glances over at him and studies him for a long moment, a contemplative look on his face.

Before Will can open his mouth to question him, Jonathan’s lips quirk up into a sly smile.

“It’s Mike, isn’t it?”

Will’s face flushes red and his eyes widen.

“Jonathan!”

Jonathan smirks. “Well?”

Will huffs, looking out the window to hide his face.

“It’s…” He smacks his forehead against the window. “It’s Mike.”

He hears his older brother chuckle, and he wants to cry, laugh, scream, and run away at the same time.

“Knew it,” Jonathan whispers, not unkindly.

Will wants to slap him.

He feels a nudge and ignores it, but his heart skips a beat when Jonathan whispers.

“I’m proud of you.”

Chapter Text

Will takes a deep breath.

He’s been summoning up his courage to walk out of his room for the better part of five minutes.

Jonathan spent another five minutes beforehand trying to convince him to tell Joyce and Hopper.

It’s 1986. Hopper has been living with them since he came back three months ago. Since El had moved in with the Byers when they moved away in 1985, she was considered another child. Therefore, Hopper was considered part of the family too. It’s a strange adjustment, but it’s not the weirdest thing that’s happened in Will’s life.

They’re back in Hawkins because of reasons, including the literal apocalypse that fell upon the town three months ago and the home invasion back in California. Will’s still a bit salty that some of his art stuff hasn’t been returned, but he doesn’t dare voice that to his mother.

Will argued with Jonathan against telling their parents and telling Eleven first, after all, she doesn’t even know. But Jonathan insisted that Joyce and Hopper would be better to tell first, at least Joyce, because “Mom wants you to talk to her first about anything. I was just an exception. And so is Mike, but you didn’t tell him first, for obvious reasons.”

So, after hearing Jonathan out, and getting his bearings, Will’s finally gonna do it. He’s been pacing in his room for about ten minutes, debating the best way at going for this. He could just walk out, tell his parents he has something to say, and then blurt it out. Or he could tell them, play it off as a joke, and then hope they take it seriously.

Will groans. This is almost harder than telling Jonathan. And Will has had more time to prepare for telling his parents. But now that the time is actually here, he’s not sure how it’s going to play out.

Deep breaths, he reminds himself. Take a deep breath. Everything’s gonna be fine.

He walks to his bedroom door.

This is Hopper, not Lonnie. They’re gonna be fine with it.

He takes another deep breath, nods to himself, then opens his door. He walks outside his room and into the living room.

Immediately, he sees Joyce and Hopper sitting on the couch, watching some shitty rom-com. Will steels himself and walks into the room.

“Mom?”

Joyce looks over and smiles. “Hey, sweetie.”

Will paces his way to the couch.

“I… I got something to tell you guys.”

“What is it, honey?”

Will takes a minute to collect his thoughts. In the meantime, Hopper turns down the TV and puts the remote down, both adults turning their attention to Will.

“I need to tell you guys something. Something I’ve been hiding for a really long time.”

Joyce tilts her head, a hint of concern already flashing through her eyes. “Is everything ok?”

Will nods adamantly. “Yeah, yeah, everything’s ok. I just… I have a secret.”

Hopper quirks a brow and nods for him to go on.

“Um… nobody knows. Except Jonathan.” He takes another deep breath. “Um, Mom… do you remember what kids at school would call me? Lonnie…?”

Joyce’s face instantly drops. “Yes… I remember.”

Will swallows, twisting his hands together nervously.

“They… they were right.”

A silence falls over the room. Will’s on the verge of tears.

“Oh, honey.” Movement is seen in his peripheral, and his mother’s warm arms wrap around him.

Will cries and embraces her. “I’m sorry,” he chokes out, burying his face in her shoulder.

“Oh, it’s ok.” Joyce pulls out of the hug and puts her hands on his face. “I’m not mad at you, sweetie. You have no reason to be sorry.”

“Yeah, kid,” Hopper starts, getting up as well. “It’s not your fault people are so mean.”

Will shakes his head. “But it is. It is my fault. I’m- I’m the one who- who can’t look at girls a- and- feel something towards them.” He chokes on his tears. “I- I can’t feel that way for girls. I- I can only feel that way f- for b- b- boys.”

“And that’s ok,” Joyce assures him. “To feel like that. It’s ok. You don’t need to live up to what society believes. Ok? You are perfect just the way you are, and I wouldn’t change a thing about you.”

“And we don’t care if you’re…” Hopper clears his throat. “You know. We care about you just the same, and nothing will change that.”

Will cries as his parents embrace him in a group hug. He wraps an arm around them each, speaking through his sniffles.

“Thanks, guys.”

“We love you, honey,” Joyce beams. “Ok? Like Hop said, nothing will change that.”

They pull out of the hug and Hopper puts his hand on his shoulder.

“So, who’s the lucky boy?”

Will chuckles nervously and rubs the back of his neck. “Uh…”

Hopper raises a pointed brow. Joyce smiles expectantly.

“Um… it’s, uh… it’s Mike.”

Joyce beams and Hopper groans, covering his face.

“Ooh!” Joyce coos. “Oh, that is so sweet!”

Will laughs awkwardly, cheeks flushing a bit. He looks at his stepdad.

Hopper gives him an unimpressed look.

“Really? Mike, Will? Mike Wheeler?!”

They hear Jonathan laugh from his room, and Will’s face turns redder.

“U- uh- uh-” He stutters.

Hopper tries to look annoyed but snorts.

“Ahh why are all my kids after the Wheeler’s??”

Joyce grins. “If I had a nickel for every time one of my kids had a crush on Mike, I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t that much, but it’s interesting that it’s happened twice.”

Will blushes more and covers his face.

“Why Jonathan?” He blurts. He hears Jonathan laugh again. He’s lucky El’s with Max and Lucas right now. “Why did you convince me to tell them first?!”

Joyce chuckles softly. “First? Who doesn’t know?”

Will drops his hand off his face. “Um, like, everyone. Everyone besides Jonathan and you two.”

“Who else are you planning on telling?”

“Uh, like, everyone. Or as many as I can. But it’s hard.”

His mother’s face softens in understanding.

“I understand that. It can be a very scary thing. But everyone’s going to support you. We love you and we care about you. We want the best for you.”

Will smiles. “Thanks, Mom. I love you too.”

“Well, sport.” Hopper puts his hand on his shoulder. “I say go for it. You got nothing left to lose. And like your mother said, we’re here for you.” He leans down and whispers in his ear. “But if you do bring that Wheeler boy around, leave the door open three inches-”

Will startles when Hopper whispers those words in his ear and backs up a step, nodding. “Got it.”

He gives his parents a smile before he goes back to his room.

Chapter Text

Will practically jumps out of his skin when there’s a knock on his door. A curious girl peeks her head inside his room, looking at him through the creak.

His chest lightens and he smiles. “Hey, El. Come in.”

Said Eleven opens the door wider and walks inside, closing it behind her.

“Joyce mentioned there was something you wanted to tell me.”

Will shapes his mouth into an ‘o’ and nods. “Yeah, uh… sit down.”

Eleven walks over to his bed and sits beside him.

“Listen, El. Uh… there’s something I gotta tell you. Um… it might sound kind of weird, but just wait until I’m finished. Please.”

She nods.

Will rubs his palms over his pants.

“Ok, ok. So um… remember that painting I told you about?”

Eleven nods. “Yes. You said it was for a girl.”

“Right, yeah. Well, the truth is, um…” He swallows. “It wasn’t. Wasn’t… for a girl.”

Eleven tilts her head in clear confusion.

“Not for a girl?”

Will shakes his head.

“Who was it for?”

“It um… I gave it to Mike.”

“Oh?”

He nods. “Yeah, uh… the painting was for him.”

“But why?”

“Be- because um… he loves my art, he always has. But also because…”

Eleven takes Will’s hand when she sees him getting nervous, stuttering and hesitating on his words.

“Will. It is ok. You can tell me.”

He nods and takes a deep breath. “I… I kinda, sorta, maybe… might… um… l- like him.”

“Yes, me too. And?”

“U- uh… I- I meant… the same- the same way you… you know, you two liked, um, liked each other.”

“Oh?”

Eleven’s eyes widen in realization.

“Oh.”

Will nods awkwardly. “Yeah…”

She looks at him expectantly. “And? What does it mean?”

He blinks. “Wh- what do you mean ‘and’? It- it means I like boys.”

“I also like boys.” She furrows her brows, obviously confused.

Will almost snorts at her confusion, but shakes his head.

“No, that- that’s different.”

She tilts her head. “Why?”

“Because you’re supposed to like boys. I’m not.”

“Why?”

“Because- because I’m a boy.”

“So?”

“So… that- that means… I- I’m not normal. I’m not like other people. I- I’m different.”

“I am different too.”

“No, El, it’s not the same. You’re a girl, you’re supposed to like boys, and boys are supposed to like girls. Not- not the other way around.”

She sits there for a long moment, thinking.

“So… you don’t like girls?”

“No! I- I mean, no, not- not in that way. Girls are fine, obviously, it’s just… I don’t have any, like, romantic feelings towards them.”

Eleven nods in understanding. “I think I understand.”

“You do?”

“Yes. You like boys but you believe you are not supposed to. You do not like girls like people say you should.”

“Yeah. Yeah, yeah, exactly.”

She nods again and smiles slightly. “That is ok.”

Will looks at her. “It is?”

“Yes. I do not mind if you pre- prefer boys over girls. That is ok.”

Will smiles. “Thanks, El.”

Eleven smiles back, then her face drops in confusion.

“So… what does that have to do with Mike?”

Will hesitates. El’s eyes suddenly widen.

“Oh. You… you like Mike, don’t you?”

He closes his eyes and bows his head, guilty.

“Sorry,” he whispers.

El shakes her head. “Will.” She grabs his hand. “It is ok. I do not care.”

He opens his eyes and lifts his head. “No?”

She shakes her head.

“But he’s your ex-boyfriend. Isn’t- isn’t it kind of weird?”

Eleven purses her lips, as if she’s thinking about it.

“No, I do not think so. It makes sense, really. I- I mean… think about it.”

Will does. He thinks about it.

Ok, ok, let’s get this straight. Wait, terrible phrasing. Ok- no, that’s not the point here.

Ok, here it is. I have a crush on the boy who’s been my best friend for ten years. We’ve known each other since kindergarten, we’re in freshman year now. Damn, that’s a long time- anyway, he dated this girl, who’s now my stepsister, for about three years. Said stepsister became my stepsister about a year ago. So that means they were dating for a couple years already before she became part of the family. Now they’re broken up for good. I’ve been in love- woah, where’d that come from- I mean I’ve had a crush on my best friend, her ex-boyfriend now, for, like, years… and now he’s single. And I’m single. And that means… I’m pining over my best-friend-stepsister’s-boyfriend-turned-ex-boyfriend. So that means…

“It doesn’t make sense, to be honest,” he says. “But I just… I can’t really help it.”

Eleven nods. “Yes. It was not your choice to fall in love with Mike.”

Will flushes. “What! I- I- I’m not in love with him! I- I just…”

“Oh, please do not say you have a ‘crush’ on him.”

He flushes more and she giggles.

“I see how you look at him. You love him the way I love Eggos.”

Will snorts this time. “Yeah, um… I’m not quite sure that’s how it works. But uh… you’re close enough.”

She grins. “It is the same, though. Anyway, thank you for telling me. I am happy for you. I hope it works out.”

He smiles slightly. “Thanks, El.”

They sit there for a few minutes before El excuses herself and leaves his room. He lays back on his bed with a sigh and looks at the ceiling. He grins.

Eleven… check.

Chapter Text

Now that his family’s out of the way, Will figures he should start telling his friends.

Starting with Lucas and Dustin.

Will’s known both Lucas and Dustin for a long time, Lucas since second grade and Dustin since fourth grade. He knows them well enough to know that they’re nice people, and that they’re not gonna judge him or hate him for something like this.

So he figures it’s now or never to tell them. Tell them who he really is. Reveal his secret to two other people.

The three boys are sitting on Mike’s basement couch while the latter is upstairs getting snacks or whatever. Will’s not ready to tell Mike himself, so he decides while he’s doing something else, now would be the best time to tell Lucas and Dustin.

“Um… guys?”

Both boys look up from their respective comics, looking at him in curiosity.

“Uh.. I got something to tell you.”

Lucas and Dustin put their comics down and turn to face him.

Will plays with his hoodie strings. “You can’t tell Mike. Please.”

Dustin and Lucas look at each other, intrigue and a hint of confusion, as well as concern, in their expressions.

“We can’t tell Mike?” Lucas asks Will, slowly, like he’s surprised Will’s telling them first. Which is fair.

Will shakes his head. “No. I’ll tell him. I don’t want him to find out… yet. Please.”

Dustin furrows his brows, confusion and concern in his eyes.

“Is everything ok? Is something wrong?”

He shakes his head again. “No, nothing’s wrong. Just… it’s a secret. A secret that I’ve… hidden for a while.”

Before he can continue, Dustin speaks again.

“Are you moving again?” He groans. “Come on, Byers.”

Will blinks. “What? No, no.”

Dustin furrows his brows. “Are you… going to college in New York, or something?”

“No.”

Dustin’s eyes light up. “Oh! Are you getting a dog?!”

“No!”

“Are you-”

“Dude.” Lucas nudges Dustin roughly. “Just let him talk.”

Dustin frowns and looks at Will obediently.

Will purses his lips into a smile and takes a deep breath. “Guys, I gotta tell you… that I’m um…”

THUD

“Michael!” A feminine voice yells upstairs.

Lucas and Dustin purse their lips, trying not to laugh. Will shakes his head and clears his throat.

“I’m…” Crap. I gotta hurry up and do this before Mike comes back down. “I’m gay.”

The boys don’t react. They’re quiet. Will’s quiet. The whole room is quiet. Then grins spread on their faces. It almost scares Will how in sync they are.

“You’re gay.” Dustin repeats. It’s not a question.

Will nods awkwardly, rubbing his arm shyly.

“Proud of you, man,” Lucas smiles. “Thanks for telling us.” He goes in for a hug.

“Congrats, dude,” Dustin grins, following his lead.

Will snorts as they embrace. “Congrats for what? Being gay?”

“For coming out!” Dustin looks between his two friends. Will stares in incredulity and Lucas raises an eyebrow. Dustin rolls his eyes. “Whatever. Good job.”

Will snorts in surprised amusement and Lucas groans, shoving Dustin on the shoulder.

“Dustin, you don’t just tell someone ‘good job’ for coming out.”

Will hums, shrugging. “Mm, I don’t know. I kinda like the praise.”

Dustin grins triumphally at Lucas. The latter snorts and rolls his eyes.

“Wait, so why don’t you wanna tell Mike?” Dustin asks. His eyes light up. “Oh shit! You like Mike!”

Will turns red. “No! No-” Lucas and Dustin stare at him. He looks at the ground shyly. “…Maybe.”

Dustin squeals, a wide grin on his face and eyes crinkling.

“Aww,” Lucas coos, smirking like the asshole he is. “So cute.”

Will turns redder and huffs. “Shut up, you both suck.”

Dustin giggles and Lucas snorts.

“Aw, come on!” Dustin whines, playfully nudging him. “You like Mike!”

Will shoves him off and glares. “Assholes, both of you.”

The boys snicker and grin, poking fun at him. Will rolls his eyes but smiles.

He’ll never live this down.

Chapter Text

Will’s in Family Video, looking through different genres. He’s in the romance section currently, scanning his eyes up and down covers like he’s counting sheep.

“Need some help?”

He looks up at the familiar feminine voice. Robin Buckley is leaning against a shelf at the end of the aisle, arms crossed.

Will looks at the movies in front of him, debating her question. Robin walks closer.

“I see you’ve found your way to the romance section.”

Will nods awkwardly. Robin grins.

“You got a little trick up your sleeves?”

He clears his throat. “No, uh… it’s movie night at the Wheeler’s house. It’s my turn to pick.”

She hums in consideration and tilts her head. “Who’s all gonna be there?”

“Well, all of us. I mean, me, Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Max, and El.”

She nods and looks around. “I think I got the perfect thing for you.”

Robin walks away to another section and grabs a tape. She comes over and hands it to Will. He takes it and his breath catches in his throat.

“A- Another Country?”

Robin nods, putting her hands behind her back, standing like an innocent schoolgirl.

Will looks up at her. She gives him a knowing look.

“Oh. Um… thanks.”

She chuckles and he follows her to the checkout. He puts the movie down and watches as she rings it up. He swallows.

Robin hands him the movie with a wink. “Enjoy that.”

He turns and starts walking away with the tape in his hand, but pauses. He slowly turns around to look at her.

“Robin?”

She hums, looking up at him.

Will hesitates. “Can I ask you something?”

She nods.

“Um… why did you give me this movie?”

Robin shrugs. “You looked like you needed a recommendation.”

“Yeah, but… why this one?”

She hops up on the counter and slides over until her legs are hanging off. She swings her legs back and forth, letting her heels gently tap the counter each time.

Robin looks around conspiratorially, as if checking no one else is around. Will follows her gaze, raising a brow. Literally nobody else is here. Not even Steve is in view.

The girl looks at Will and motions him over. “Come here.”

Confused, he slowly approaches the counter, stopping before her.

She grips the edge of the counter as she leans forward a little, making direct eye contact with him.

“You know, I was a lot like you when I was your age.”

When Will raises a brow, she goes on.

“Confused. All over the place. Not really sure where I stood.” She shifts a little on the counter, crossing one ankle over the other. “Now I understand. Now I know who I am, and what I want.”

Still confused, Will nods slowly. “Ok…?”

“I couldn’t figure out what I wanted for some time. And now I understand, and I don’t want to let it go. It’s mine. It’s what I want. It’s not what anybody else wants. And nobody can tell me any differently.”

Will blinks, still unsure. Robin chuckles softly.

“Wow, you’re a dense little guy, huh?”

She leans forward and offers him a kind smile.

“All I’m saying is, I understand what you’re going through.”

Will blinks again, comprehending her words. I understand what you’re going through. He looks down at the movie in his hands. It suddenly all clicks. His eyes widen. Oh.

“Oh. You- you’re…?”

Robin nods, still a soft, albeit a bit of a sheepish, smile on her face. “Yeah. I’m.”

Will looks between her and the tape a few times.

“That’s why… you gave me this.”

She nods. He stares at her in awe and wonder.

“So…” She shrugs. “Who is it?”

He snaps out of it. “Who is what?”

She rolls her eyes. “Who’s the one that made you realize?”

Will swallows. “O- oh. It… it was… my friend.”

Robin snorts. “Well, yeah. Duh. I mean who?”

“Oh. U- um…”

She raises a brow. He smiles nervously.

“Mike.”

Robin’s eyes light up.

“Little Wheeler? Really?”

Will nods awkwardly, rubbing his arm. She grins.

“That’s awesome! Makes sense.”

He looks up. “Yeah?”

She nods. “Yeah. I’ve seen you two around each other. Those looks.” She winks.

Will chuckles nervously and clears his throat, hoping he’s not blushing. Ah, who am I kidding? Of course I’m blushing.

Robin nods at the tape in his hand. “You enjoy that, ok? And go after your boy.”

Will nods. “Y- yeah, right. Thanks, Robin.” He turns and starts heading towards the door, but pauses and looks over his shoulder. He smirks. “Hey, uh… who made you realize?”

Robin’s eyes widen, clearly caught off guard. She chuckles. “Ah. Just… some girl.”

Will’s smirk grows. “Some girl?”

“Uh huh. Anyway, see ya, Will.”

He hums. “Would this girl happen to have red hair, blue eyes, infectious smile?”

Robin’s cheeks flush deeper. “Bye, Will!”

He starts backing towards the door. “Perhaps her name starts with a V?”

She glares at him. “Asshole. Get out.”

Will snickers and waves before he leaves Family Video, holding the tape in his hand and grinning.

Chapter Text

“Should I tell Nancy that I like Mike?”

Jonathan pauses, looking up from his mixtape and turning to Will. The latter has been sitting on his brother’s bed, listening to Jonathan’s new mixtape for the last twenty minutes. They’d sat in silence, both ruminating on their lives and enjoying music like they haven’t in a long time.

“Do you want to?”

Will shrugs. “It’d make sense, right? To tell Nancy I like her brother.”

Jonathan hums, shrugging. “Yeah, maybe. I mean, it might be kind of weird if you and Mike got together and she didn’t even know.”

He smirks when he sees Will blush at that.

“Besides, she’d probably interrogate me.”

Will raises a brow. “What do you mean?”

“She’d come up to me and demand answers. Like how long this has been going on, why I never said anything, if I think you two are gonna get married-”

His little brother groans, falling back on the bed. “Mike doesn’t even know.”

Jonathan shrugs. “No. But maybe… maybe Nancy can encourage you to tell him.”

“You think so?”

Another shrug. “Yeah, sure. She’s pretty good at convincing people.”

Will groans again. “I know. She convinced me not to eat a brownie because it had worms in it when I was eight. Turns out it was the last brownie and she was saving it for herself.”

Jonathan snorts. “Yeah, I remember that. You came home saying you weren’t gonna eat brownies ever again.”

The other boy facepalms. “I was eight, what do you expect?” He sits up. “Do you really think I should tell Nancy?”

Jonathan nods. “Yeah. Why not?”

Will purses his lips. “Ok. You’re right. It would probably be better just to tell her than keep it under wraps. But how? Am I supposed to just… show up at her house?”

His brother eyes him. Will blinks, falls back on the bed, and groans again.

That’s exactly what he does.

Will pulls into the Wheeler’s driveway, hops off his bike, and heads towards the door. Once he’s on the steps, he rings the doorbell.

Thirty seconds later the door opens to reveal Nancy.

“Hey, Will. Mike’s not home right now.”

Will purses his lips. “Actually, uh… I wanted to talk to you.”

Nancy looks surprised. “Me?”

He nods. “Yeah. Are you busy?”

She shakes her head. “No. Um, come on in.”

Nancy opens the door wider and Will steps inside, looking around like he hasn’t been to this house for ten years of his life.

They walk to the living room and sit on the couch.

“Are your parents home?” Will asks.

Nancy shakes her head. “Nope. Dad’s at work and Mom’s shopping with Holly. I don’t know where Mike went.”

He nods and looks around the living room, feeling a little awkward at being left alone with Nancy.

“So what did you want to talk about?”

“Oh, right. Well, I have something to tell you. Um… everyone knows. Well, not everyone, not Steve, or Max, or you yet. Or Mike. But um, Jonathan, my parents, Lucas, Dustin, and Robin know.”

Nancy nods, looking at him intently.

“Jonathan said I should tell you. A- and I guess it’ll just be easier to explain so you’re not… confused. If anything happens in the future.”

She furrows her brows, but stays silent.

Will takes a deep breath, looking away.

“So, um… I wanted to say that, uh… I have a… a thing.”

Nancy tilts her head. “A ‘thing’?”

“Yeah, a- a thing. I- I have a thing for, um… a… a thing… for your- for you- a thing for-”

He steels himself, and his next words come out in one breath.

“Ihaveathingforyourbrotherokbye.”

Will gets up and scrambles away from the couch. Nancy grabs his wrist, holding him back. He grimaces and slowly turns to look at her.

Nancy has one eyebrow raised. “Repeat that?”

He takes a deep breath. “I said uh… I have a thing-”

“No, I know. A thing for what?”

“Um… it’s not a ‘what.’” She furrows her brows, confused. “It’s a- a ‘who.’” He swallows. “I have a thing… for… for your brother.”

Nancy’s grip slackens. Will pulls his wrist away like he’s been burned. She’s quiet. He awkwardly sits on the couch. She’s quiet. He looks around the living room. The clock is the only sound in the house. She’s quiet.

“Oh.” She finally utters.

His brows furrow. Oh?

“Oh.” He repeats. What an idiot.

“Oh,” she repeats, a little more confident. “Oh. Ok.”

Will looks at her. Nancy looks back. They have a staring contest for approximately .5 seconds until he can’t take it anymore.

“What’s ‘oh’?”

She snaps out of it. “It’s nothing bad, promise. It’s just… I’m processing.”

Will looks at her. He can practically see the gears turning in her head.

“Ok,” she says again. “Ok.” She looks at him and smiles. “Cool.”

Will blinks. Cool. Cool?? What is she on?

“Cool?” He repeats. “What’s cool?”

She snorts, rolling her eyes. “You’re a lot like Jonathan, you know that?”

He looks away. Is that an insult?

“I mean it’s cool,” Nancy continues. “It’s cool that you… have a thing for my brother.”

Will looks at her. “It is? Really?”

She nods. “Yeah, I mean, why not? It makes sense, I guess. I mean, I’m still a little confused, but I support you. 100%.”

He smiles. “Yeah? You do? You don’t think it’s like… strange that I have… feelings for him?”

Nancy shakes her head. “Honestly? No. Honestly? It makes a lot of sense, when I think about it. Honestly? You guys would be really cute together.”

Will’s face heats up and he laughs nervously. “Oh, well, I- I don’t know about that.”

She nudges him. “Yes. Come on, why not? You two clearly like each other.”

He blinks. “What? No. I mean, yes, but no.”

She raises a brow. “Oh, you’re blind.”

Will blinks again. “Huh?”

“You don’t see the way he looks at you, do you?”

He blinks twice. “How does he look at me?”

“Like you hung the moon and the stars.”

Will’s sure he’s about to melt from pure heat. He doesn’t know how he hasn’t already.

“O- oh, w- well, uh…”

Nancy smirks. Will hides his face in his hands.

She chuckles and nudges him. “You should tell him.”

He lifts his head. “You think so?”

She nods. “Yeah. It may just surprise you.”

“But I’m scared. What if… what if he says no?”

“Then he’s blind too.”

Will chuckles lightly. Nancy smiles, putting her hand on his shoulder.

“I mean it. You guys are good together. It’ll all work out. You should really tell him.”

He nods. “Yeah, you’re right. Thanks, Nancy.”

She smiles. “Just treat him right, you know?” She leans in, whispering in his ear. “I have seven guns in my closet.”

Will flinches a little and chuckles. “Oh, uh, right. Of course.”

Nancy nods and smiles. “Good. Now go get the damn boy.”

Chapter Text

They’re sitting in Mike’s room when it happens.

Will’s on the bed and Mike’s at his desk, looking through a notebook. He scribbles on the paper a few times, possibly notes from school or D&D campaign ideas. Will’s so happy he convinced the Party to get back into D&D. They don’t have a lot of time these days, sure, but it’s nice to sit down for a game every couple of weeks.

It's been quiet for about fifteen minutes now. Mike had asked Will to come over and hang out, and then started writing. He tends to do that a lot, asks Will to come over and then proceeds to ignore him. Well, not ignore, but do other things. Multitask, you might call it.

Will should be bothered, but he doesn’t mind it actually. Because it’s like no matter what they’re doing, even if Mike’s not paying attention to him, he still wants him around. It’s kinda sweet.

But the silence has gone on for too long for these two. Will kind of misses the days when they were chatterboxes, no matter how many times people would tell them to shut up. Not that they actually said that to seven year olds, but “be quiet you’re too loud!” is pretty much the same thing.

He wants to break the silence. He’s been thinking about the conversation he had with Nancy three days ago. He figures since he’s in Mike’s presence, now would be the best time to bring it up. And confess to the boy he’s had his eye on for years. Even if Mike doesn’t reciprocate, Will’s got to tell him. (Almost) everyone else knows, and he doesn’t want to keep this secret anymore from the one person that needs to know it most.

“Mike?” Will hates how his voice breaks on the single syllable. He subtly clears his throat.

He hears Mike hum in acknowledgement, still focused on his paper.

“Can I… can I tell you something?”

“Sure. What is it?”

“It’s… kind of important.”

That gets Mike’s attention. He puts his pen down, straightens up in his chair, and turns around. His eyes are wide, and he quickly gets up and sits on the bed.

“What is it? Is something wrong? Are you ok? Is it the Upside Down?”

Will blinks as each question comes bursting out of his best friend’s mouth. He’d kinda forgotten how protective Mike can get. Oh my God, who am I kidding? I didn’t forget.

“No. No, it’s not the Upside Down. Nothing’s wrong. I just… I gotta tell you something.”

Mike nods earnestly, looking at him intently.

Will twists his hands in his lap. “I have… I have a secret.”

“A secret?”

“Yeah. And uh… I think you’re gonna wanna hear it.”

Mike nods adamantly. “Yeah. Yeah, yeah, sure. Go ‘head.”

Will takes a deep breath. He’s starting to feel really, really nervous. Mike senses his anxiety, because of course he does, and takes his hands in his own, because of course he does.

Will tries to focus on the words he needs to say rather than the warmth of Mike’s hands. They’ve always been a little calloused around the fingers, but the palms are pretty soft. And-

Byers! Get it together!

He shakes his head and looks up from their hands into Mike’s eyes. The latter is looking at him with concern, curiosity, and intrigue.

“Mike, I… I need you tell you… I- I’m gay.” Will breathes around Mike’s growing grip. “And I like you.”

He shuts his eyes. He’s scared to see Mike’s reaction. What if he recoils? What if he scrunches his nose and squints his eyes in disgust? What if his brows furrow and he frowns in disappointment?

Will slowly opens his eyes, waiting with bated breath. Mike’s still sitting there, hands still holding Will’s, and he’s just staring at him with an unreadable expression on his face. But he doesn’t look mad, or disgusted, or freaked out. He looks… confused maybe? Shocked? But also… hopeful?

“You… you like me.” Mike finally speaks, voice low and soft. It’s not a question.

Will slowly nods, trying to hold eye contact but gaze nervously darting around.

Mike squeezes his hands and that brings Will’s gaze back to his. The latter’s smiling now, a small, soft thing.

“Wow,” he murmurs.

Will has no idea what that means. Is he in disbelief? Is he about to laugh in his face? Is he about to call him a queer and tell him to get out of his house? Is he gonna-

“That’s cool.”

Huh?

“Huh?”

“That’s cool,” Mike repeats. “I like you too.”

Will furrows his brows.

What?

“What?”

“I like you too.”

“No, I- I mean, I- I like like you.”

Mike nods. “Yeah. And I like like you too.”

What.

What.

What.

Will’s eyes widen.

Mike giggles. “What? You don’t believe me?”

Will can only shake his head, but even that action is stiff.

“Come on. Why wouldn’t I like you?” Mike cups his cheek. “You’re everything to me.”

A thousand blinks. “I am?”

Mike smiles softly. That goddamn smile. “Yeah.” His voice is almost as soft as that smile. That goddamn voice.

“Really?”

He nods. “You don’t believe me?”

“No- I mean- I don’t know.”

“Hm. Well, I’ll prove it to you.”

Will can barely blink before Mike’s suddenly leaning in. His eyes widen and his face flushes from the proximity.

“Mike…”

“Will.”

“What- what are you doing?”

“Do you trust me?”

“Y- yes, of course.”

“Close your eyes.”

“What?”

“Close your eyes.”

“I don’t-”

“Will! Close your eyes.”

Will closes his eyes, heart pounding. What’s happening?

“What are you…”

Mike starts counting. “Three… two… one.”

“What-”

Will’s cut off by the press of… something warm against his lips. What is- oh. Oh.

Holy shit.

Ohmygod ohmygod.

He’s kissing me.

Mike is kissing me.

Oh my God.

What do I do what do I do.

Oh wait I should probably kiss back.

God, this feels so good.

It’s happening. They’re kissing. They’re kissing and Will could die. He is going to die if Mike-

Oh God.

Butterflies.

Red cheeks.

Fluttering heart.

Oh no.

They slowly pull away. Will flutters his eyes open to see Mike staring back at him with a sweet, bashful smile.

“Holy shit,” Will whispers.

“Yeah,” Mike whispers back, giggling. He puts his forehead on Will’s. “Holy shit.”

Will closes his eyes. “This is nice.” I love you. Love you so much.

“Will?” Mike strokes his hand. “I love you too.”