Chapter Text
(pre prolog)
It was the winter of 1987, after the tragic events that occurred in the summer, Mike, Nancy, and Holly had no where to stay, after all their parents were still in the hospital and they had no where to stay in the meantime so, like the kind woman she is, Joyce Byers offers to take care of the three while Ted and Karen Wheeler rest in the hospital; what could go wrong! After all they’re "close" it should be fun right? That would be if Mike didn’t feel super duper awkward and out of place there.
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…You see during the stressful time in the fall, Will made an announcement, an announcement that would confuse Mike he didn’t know why exactly but..it confused him a lot why *wouldnt* Will like girls? When Will said he had a crush it..made him weirdly curious on who it was, what did Will mean by “he’s just my Tammy” who was Tammy? and why did it concern Mike so much....?
he had other things to focus on for now, he was in Joyce’s car with Nancy, Holly, and Hopper. Joyce drove back to their house, Hopper was in the passenger seat and Holly sat in the middle seat between Mike and Nancy. Holly swung her feet happily as she looked out the windows occasionally talking to Joyce, Nancy stayed mostly quiet chiming in sometimes. Mike stayed silent the whole car ride, which was until..
”Mike, how're you feeling, are you okay?” Mike shook his head the thoughts of what Will meant leaving his brain before he responds.
”Uh..yeah...*he clears his throat* yeah,
i’m fine, just tired is all.” He responds slowly. Joyce glances in the rear view mirror
"Okay, well, if you say so. will you be okay tonight? you haven't been here in quite some time." before he can respond Joyce quickly speaks again.
”Oh! i almost forgot! Will has a spare mattress in his room, i hope you’ll be comfortable sleeping there, it's all we have to work
with right now, i hope that's okay?"
It wasn't...a big idea but..Mike felt like it was..he didn't exactly know why, and of course he wouldn't admit that around his best friend's mother of course.. Mike sighed.
”Yeah…okay yeah that works, thank you.” he seemed..weirdly on edge after she said that. Joyce dropped the conversation after his dismissal.
Mike let out a breath he didn't realize he's been holding in, as if he's been waiting for her to just stop asking questions. Nancy glances at him suspiciously, why was he acting so weird? could it be because of stress? unease? sadness? or is it just Mike being a weirdo?
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Once they arrived at the Byers residence, everyone gathered inside to place their stuff down, Hollys sleeping in the spare room with Nancy, which leaves Mike with two choices...sleep on the couch, or in Wills room. He was having an internal battle as he sat on the couch his shirt crumpling at the ends as he sat down, his elbows resting on his knees as he's lost in thought. Joyce sits next to him, she puts a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, i know this isn't easy kiddo, and i know you're worried about your parents..."
Oh. Right. he was here because his parents were in the hospital, it's not like he totally forgot about that, of course he was worried! he couldn't help that his mind has been...elsewhere all day since Joyce picked them up.
" Thanks, it uh...it means a lot" He says trying to sound as causal and unbothered as possible.
"Mike..are you comfortable sleeping with Will? or..would you rather sleep here on the couch. Whatever you choose is ok"
Shit. the question Mikes been avoiding all day..truth is he's been avoiding it, he felt..awkward? sharing with Will, not like he has anything against him it's just...he snaps out of his trance.
"I...i uh..." This was it...the cold hard couch? or a soft warm mattress next to his best friends bed?
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"I'll take the couch tonight..thanks"
Joyce seems a little surprised, alas she's supportive.
"Oh, of course! whatever makes you the most comfortable, Mike." She gives his shoulder a final squeeze before standing up and walking to the kitchen to greet Holly and Nancy.
Mike sighed. he sat on the couch for a little longer before he decided he should probably do something to keep himself busy.
"Mike?" Mike freezes in place, he hears the sound of delicate footsteps depart down the staircase. He knew that voice, he could recognize it instantly, how could he not? he's been thinking about it almost all day and-
"uh..Mike?"
Will stood behind Mike, he gently tapped his shoulder. In an instant Mike snapped out of it and finally, turned around.
"Oh..sorry, uhh..." Why was he so nervous? why couldn't he think of anything to say?!
he clears his throat "A..anyways i'm uh, i'm okay....hi"
Totally not suspicious at all...Will eyes him suspiciously before brushing it off.
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"Hi...uhm, do you need any blankets or pillows? for the couch, i mean"
Mike tried to maintain eye contact but every time he tried, he'd avert his eyes almost immediately. Why was it so hard to just look Will in the eyes? He's his best friend! it shouldn't be weird at all. Mike struggled internally, he hated this. He hated the way Will was staring at him..he hated how good he looked in the dim light of the living room lamp. He hated feeling this awkward around especially Will of all people.
"I uh.. i should be fine, thanks though" He wanted to accept the offer
"Mike, you seem anxious, is everything ok? Do you want to talk about i-"
"No!" Mike abruptly cut him off "Uh, sorry no, it's okay. Thanks anyways Will"
Will decided to drop it, seeing how jumpy Mike was. Will stared at Mike, not in a creepy way of course, but like he was concerned for Mike given his parents were in the hospital, Will was oblivious to what was going on in mikes head...or was he
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It was around 9:30pm and everyone was getting settled for the night. Holly and Nancy were in the spare room close by, Jonathan was in his room along with Will, Joyce and Hopper were upstairs talking..which leaves Mike alone in the quiet empty living room with his thoughts. He felt weirdly jumpy for the majority of the day, like his head couldn't stop running a million miles a minute, on one hand he wanted to be alone, away from everyone and try to take care of his parents in the hospital, and on the other hand he wanted to stay right where he was at the Byers house.
He felt selfish for even thinking that, he felt selfish in a way he couldn't describe, like that akward interaction with Will earlier made his heart race, why? was it nerves? no.. was it irritation? no.. was it disgust? no...or was it...appreciation? maybe a little too much appreciation, wanting to cuddle your best friend in his room or even kiss him is definitely appreciation.. The thought of doing something like that with Will made Mikes chest tighten and his face flush, he shouldn't be feeling this way for a boy, and about Will for gods sake!
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Mike sat on the edge of the couch completely lost in thought, not paying attention to his surroundings doesn't hear the soft descent of footsteps once again. Mikes thoughts were racing with confusion, irritation, and anxiety all at once. He was super out of it until a soft concerned voice cut through the air completely snapping Mike out of his trance.
"Mike? Seriously..i'm getting worried. Are you *actually* ok?"
It was Will, his voice dripping with soft concern and mild confusion. Mikes usually pretty good at being present and in the moment but he seemed so..lost? it was worrying especially to Will.
Mike looked up at Will and stood up
"Hm. I'm okay, i've just been thinking about stuff is all..i mean..my parents.."
It's not like he *wasnt* thinking about them right now, he just seemed more focus on imagining how Wills lips would feel against his in mind, the sounds he'd made, the way his deep voice would sound breathless and asking for more..
"Are you sure that's all? You know i can tell when something bothering you, Mike."
"..Yeah"
Mike didn't sound convincing one bit, his voice slightly cracked as he soft launched his stupid lie, it was painfully obvious that something was eating Mike alive and Will *needed* to know what was wrong so he could try and help the best he could.
"Mike. I know when somethings wrong, please
..talk to me"
Will sat down on the edge of the couch guiding Mike to sit back down with him, Mikes heart fluttered in his chest as Will did so. Why? was he feeling this way???
"I..It's okay Will, i'll be okay, ok? I'll talk to you when the time comes.."
Wow. Very convincing
"Are you sure, Mike? you seem really..on edge.." Will paused for a moment "If it's about your parents i completely understand, but you seem like that's the least of your worries right now.."
As much as he didn't want to admit it, Will was right. Mike felt stupid for even thinking about Will in a time like this, his parents were in the hospital possibly dying for fucks sake!
"Sorry, i've just got.. a lot on my mind and uh..yeah.- yeah i'm worried about my parents is all.."
Will decided it'd be better to just drop the subject if Mike was that anxious about discussing it
"Okay" Will sighed softly "I know it's tough with your parents and all..we're all here to support you..Uhm..talk to me if you need something, kay?"
And with that Will walked to the kitchen leaving Mike alone once again. Why was Will so patient with him?? so understanding..it made mikes chest tighten again, that same exhilarating feeling he always got when Will showed any sort of care or affection towards Mike.
It almost felt natural in some way, like he was *meant* to feel that way whenever Will spoke, only him. He didn't feel that way when Lucas or Dustin spoke..so why Will? Why was it *only* Will? it confused Mike, it kinda irritated him, he never felt that way when a girl said something like that so why Will!
He sat and thought for moments longer before he finally decided he needed to head to bed for the night. It was 11:34pm when he started falling asleep, it wasn't easy. He was tossing and turning for nearly an hour before getting comfortable and falling asleep, his thoughts stopped racing and he finally felt at peace for the first time that day.