Archive of Our Own

Will is fully engrossed in his artwork, his pencil moving with precise and intentional strokes across the paper.

The kitchen table serves as his canvas, cluttered with eraser shavings and various pencils, all witnesses to the creation unfolding.

As Joyce walked into the kitchen, her gaze was immediately drawn to her son's creation. She paused, taking in the details of the drawing, from the intricately designed armor to the dynamic pose of Knight Solaris as he prepared to vanquish his foes.

"That looks really good, Will," she says, a warm smile spreading across her face as she moved to the sink to fill a glass with water.

"Thanks, Mom," Will responds, a slight blush tinting his cheeks with pride. "It’s Knight Solaris. Mike thinks he’s really cool."

Joyce, sipping her water, chuckles. "I can see why. He certainly looks like a hero. You and Mike have such wild imaginations."

Will beams at the compliment. "We... like to come up with stories about him. It kind of feels like we could even make our own comic book."

"That sounds like a fantastic idea," Joyce replies, placing her glass down. She looks at Will with encouragement. "You're both so creative. Who knows? Maybe one day, I’ll be picking up a Knight Solaris comic book from the store."

However, even as he focuses on his drawing, snippets of Joyce's phone call drift over to him. He can't help but catch bits and pieces—a tone of exasperation from Joyce, followed by a burst of laughter. The conversation seems anything but the usual adult banter today.

"...he did what with the drone?" Joyce's voice is filled with disbelief, and then laughter follows. "Ted accidentally flew the drone into a beehive during a neighborhood watch? And now there's a swarm in your backyard?" She listens intently, occasionally chuckling as Karen recounts the tale. "Of all the times for this to happen, right when Mike's having his wisdom teeth out? Don't worry, Karen. We'll figure something out."

The conversation takes a sudden turn, one that immediately grabs Will's full attention.

"Oh, Mike's still at the dentist, and you can't leave because of the... bee situation," Joyce says, trying to stifle another laugh. There's a brief pause as Karen speaks. "Sure, Karen, no problem at all. I'll send Jonathan to pick Mike up. Yes, I promise, it's really no trouble."

At the mention of Mike and surgery in the same sentence, Will's pencil halts mid-stroke. His heart skips a beat—not out of worry, Mike's been talking about this surgery for weeks, but because the possibility of seeing Mike, even post-surgery and likely groggy, thrills him.

Joyce hangs up the phone, her fingers lingering on the device for a moment as she processes the conversation. She turns to face Will, who has momentarily abandoned his drawing, curiosity etched across his features.

"He really flew a drone into a beehive?" Will asks, his voice laced with disbelief.

Joyce nods, a chuckle escaping her. "Yes, and now they're dealing with a backyard full of bees. Can you believe it?" Shaking her head in amused disbelief, she raises her voice and calls out, "Jonathan!"

Moments later, Jonathan descends the stairs, a look of mild annoyance on his face from being pulled away from whatever he was doing. "What's up, Mom? Why'd you call me?"

Joyce quickly fills him in, her tone shifting to one of urgency. "I need you to go pick up Mike from the dentist. Something's come up with Karen, and she can't make it."

Jonathan's expression softens with concern. "Is she okay?"

"She's fine," Joyce assures him. "It's just a little... bee problem at their house. Nothing serious, but she can't leave to pick up Mike."

"Can I come too, Jonathan?" Will, almost jumping at the chance. "I really want to go."

Jonathan, caught slightly off guard by his brother's enthusiasm, looks towards Joyce, who gives a small, approving nod.

Joyce, with a practiced flick of her wrist, tosses the car keys in his direction, and Jonathan catches them smoothly. "Alright, come on Will."

As Jonathan pockets the keys with a grin, he tosses a mock-salute to Joyce. With that, the brothers exit the house, laughter trailing behind them as they cross the lawn to where the car sits patiently in the driveway, bathed in the soft afternoon light.

Will, caught up in the excitement of the joy of spending unexpected time with Mike, barely notices the buzz of his phone against his leg. At first, he's tempted to ignore it, thinking nothing could be more important than the task at hand. However, a nagging feeling in the back of his mind urges him to check, whispering that this call shouldn't be missed.

Fishing the phone out from his pocket, he glances at the screen to see Max's name flashing. Puzzled, he answers, "Hello?"

"William Byers, are you deliberately trying to keep all the fun and joy to yourself?" 

Will, taken aback by her tone and the use of his full name, wrinkles his brow in confusion. "Max, what are you talking about?"

Her laughter crackles through the phone, light and mischievous. "Wheeler's wisdom teeth are you kidding me? Me and Lucas want in."

As she says this, Will reaches the passenger side of the car, his hand on the handle to open the door.

Still puzzled, Will can't help but ask, "How do you even know that?"

He’s still processing Max's words when the door swings open to reveal El already sitting there, looking up at him with a knowing smile.

Will's confusion momentarily gives way to mock indignation. "Wait a minute...were you spying on us, El?"

El shakes her head, her smile unwavering. "It's not spying if we live in the same house, Will."

Will can't resist commenting back to Max, still on the line. "Good luck getting to the dentist's office on time. You and Lucas are going to have to pedal pretty fast to beat us there."

Max's laughter filters through the phone, light and carefree. "Oh, we're way ahead of you, Byers. Lucas and I are already at your house."

Confused, Will spins around, phone still pressed to his ear, and true to Max's word, he sees Lucas and Max walking up the driveway, their approach casual but purposeful.

Well, there goes his opportunity to spend any time with Mike alone. But Will isn't too upset about it, he likes Max too much to care.

As Lucas and Max draw near, they wave energetically at Will and Jonathan. "Hey, couldn't let you guys have all the fun without us," Max calls out, a grin spreading across her face.

Lucas chimes in with a nod, "Yeah, no way we were missing Mike's big day. Imagine the stories he'll tell when he's all loopy from the anesthesia."

Jonathan, leaning against the car, laughs and greets them with a nod. "Glad you could make it. This is turning into quite the squad."

Throughout the exchange, Will's thoughts drift to Mike, imagining his reaction to most of the gang showing up for his post-surgery ride home. He pictures Mike's embarrassed smile, the way he'd try to play it cool despite the cotton stuffed in his cheeks, and it brings a smile to his own face.

"Alright, let's pile in. We've got a Wheeler to rescue," Jonathan says, unlocking the car.

Jonathan, Will, Lucas, Max and El enter the dental office's waiting room.

The sterile scent of the office mingles with muted sounds of distant dental equipment, creating an atmosphere that's both calming and slightly unnerving. Their eyes quickly adjust to the interior light, scanning the room until they land on Mike.

There he sits, a slightly slouched figure on one of the sterile, uncomfortable chairs that populate waiting rooms worldwide. A dental assistant stands close by, her demeanor professional yet warm, as she seems to be gently ensuring that Mike doesn't embark on any anesthesia-induced adventures.

Jonathan steps forward, wearing an apologetic smile. "Sorry we're a bit late. There was a... situation with his mom."

The dental assistant waves off his apology with a kind smile, her understanding evident. "No problem at all. We're just making sure he's okay before he heads out. It's important to keep an eye on him while the anesthesia wears off."

Lucas whispers to Max, loud enough for Will to hear, "Looks like Mike's trying to figure out if he's still on planet Earth."

"Yeah, he looks...," El trails off trying to find a good word to describe him.  She gestures vaguely with her hands. "Like a...like a hamster."

With a mischievous glint in her eye, Max smirks. "Hey Mike, did they find any brains in there while they were searching, or just cavities?"

Mike, still groggy from the anesthesia turns his bleary gaze toward Max. With a lopsided grin, he slurs out, "Hey, Max! Go fuck yourself!"

The room erupts in laughter, including the dental assistant, who tries to maintain her professionalism but can't help but chuckle at the scene. Mike's attempt at cursing, hindered by his numbed mouth and the dental aftermath, sounds more like a playful whine than anything else.

Jonathan shakes his head with an amused smile, looking at the still-seated Mike. "And here I was, worried the anesthesia would make you too quiet," he quips, extending a hand to help Mike to his feet.

As Mike slowly stands, leaning heavily on Jonathan for support, Will's gaze lingers on Mike's face, taking in the unusual sight. Mike's cheeks are notably puffy, like a chipmunk storing away food for the winter

Unable to resist, Will reaches out and gently pokes one of Mike's swollen cheeks. "You look like you're smuggling marbles in there."

Mike, catching Will's action out of the corner of his eye, turns towards him. Despite the gauze in his mouth and the drowsiness clinging to his words, he manages to respond. "If you wanted me to I would, Will."

The unexpected response catches Will off guard, a blush creeping up his cheeks as he tries to suppress a surprised laugh.

Gathering his wits, Will retorts with a playful roll of his eyes, "Sure, Mike. Let's see you try walking straight first."

Mike, undeterred and still riding the wave of anesthesia-induced bravery, attempts a cheeky wink but ends up blinking slowly instead.

Lucas and Max, witnessing this rare exchange, burst into uncontrollable laughter. Max clutches her stomach, leaning on Lucas for support, while Lucas points at Mike, shaking his head in disbelief. "Oh, man, Mike's got game today!" Lucas manages to say between laughs.

"Fuck off, Lucas."

Jonathan steps in with a wry smile, “Alright, alright, let’s not exhaust the patient before we even get him in the car. Plus, I don’t think the dental office is ready for that level of Wheelerness,” He gently wraps an arm around Mike, steadying him as they prepare to leave.

As they shuffle towards the exit, Max whips out her phone, the camera lens pointed squarely at Mike. Will, curious, nudges her. "What are you doing?"

Max's eyes gleam with the mischief of a thousand pranks. "Documenting this for posterity...and Dustin," she adds, her grin widening at the thought of their friend's reaction. "He's gonna regret missing this."

"Mike's going to be so embarrassed," El comments, though there's a soft smile on her face, betraying her enjoyment of the situation.

Mike, attempting to process this new piece of information, squints at Max, then offers a slow, gummy smile. "You're all traitors," he mumbles, "traitor nerds. But you're my traitor nerds."

Lucas clasps his hand over his heart. "Did you hear that? Mike loves us. He really loves us,"

Max rolls her eyes at Lucas's theatrics but can't suppress her own grin. "Yeah, until he's back to bossing us around in D&D. Then it's every nerd for themselves."

Mike, struggling to focus on the faces blurring in and out of his vision, nods solemnly, then declares with a sudden earnestness, "I would fight a Demogorgon for you guys... with my bare hands... and... and my puffy cheeks." His words trail off into a soft snore, his head lolling slightly as they guide him to the car.

The group manages to pile into the car, with Will taking the spot by the window and Mike squeezed next to him, still mumbling incoherently about heroic feats fueled by anesthesia.

Lucas, observing the cramped arrangement, announces, "This isn't going to work. Someone's got to move to the back."

...

"All in favor of Max moving to the back-back?" Will asks, mischievously.

Hands shoot up in the air, and even El raises her hand with a grin.

Max, realizing the unanimous decision, huffs dramatically, "Oh, come on! This is bullshit. You guys aren't going to listen to Will are you?"

Mike interjects with unexpected earnestness. "Hey, Will's the mastermind here," he mumbles, his words slurred but surprisingly clear in his defense of his friend. "If he says back-back, then back-back it is."

Max, throwing one last look of mock betrayal over her shoulder at the group, can't resist one final jab. "You're all assholes," she announces.

Will retorts, "We prefer the term 'strategic seating planners.'"

Max fires back, "Oh, fuck off, Byers," even as she clambers over to her new seat in the back, the corners of her mouth betraying a reluctant smile.

As Jonathan turns the key in the ignition and the car begins to hum to life, Will finds himself glancing over at Mike. In the soft light filtering through the car window, Mike looks peaceful, almost ethereal, despite the obvious signs of his recent dental ordeal. His cheeks are still slightly puffy, lending him an endearing quality that Will finds hard to ignore.

Bending down, Will retrieves his drawing journal from the floor of the car, flipping it open to the page adorned with his latest creation - the valiant Knight Solaris. He holds the journal out to Mike, a silent invitation to view his work.

Mike's eyes focus on the drawing, and a slow smile spreads across his face. "It's cute," he murmurs, the words slightly muffled but unmistakably fond.

Will raises an eyebrow, a playful defense ready at his lips. "Cute? I was going for 'cool' and 'strong.' Knights are supposed to be formidable, not cute."

Mike looks up at Will, his smile widening. "Yeah, but, it's cute that you drew it for me," he insists. The sincerity in his gaze is unmistakable, and it sends an unexpected flutter through Will's chest.

Will's cheeks burn with a blush, the compliment catching him off guard. "I always draw stuff for you."

"Yeah, and it's always cute. Just like you," Mike adds, his hand reaching out to gently boop Will on the nose.

The atmosphere in the car shifts in an instant, from playful banter to a collective pause, as everyone processes Mike's affectionate gesture towards Will. It's a moment so unexpectedly sweet, it catches everyone off guard.

Will, his cheeks aflame, stammers in disbelief, "Did you just—"

Max, from her spot in the back, leans forward, disbelief coloring her tone. "What did he just say?"

Will shifts uncomfortably in his seat, his cheeks flaming with embarrassment as he struggles to find a response to Mike's unexpected compliment.

Lucas, hardly able to contain his laughter, chimes in, "You heard it right, Max. Mike just called Will cute. Like, 'c-u-t-e' cute."

Mike, unfazed by the sudden spotlight on him and the laughter filling the car, shrugs nonchalantly. "So what?" he says, his voice steady even as his words slur slightly from the anesthesia. "Chris Hemsworth, Ryan Reynolds, Idris Elba — they're all pretty cute. Big deal."

Max has her phone out and recording in no time. "This is gold," she declares, a wide grin on her face. "Mike's list of man crushes, featuring live from the backseat."

"But Will's cuter than them, though," Mike adds earnestly, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips, not deterred by Max's recording or the teasing atmosphere.

Will's face heats up at Mike's words, his mind racing with a mixture of confusion and embarrassment. Why is Mike saying this stuff? he wonders, trying to make sense of the situation. Mike's usually not this open, especially not in front of everyone. Will's heart thumps louder in his chest, a mix of anxiety and something else he can't quite place making his thoughts swirl.

El, watching the exchange with an amused smile, leans in and nods in agreement. "Definitely, Will's a cutie," she chimes in, adding fuel to the fire.

Lucas, ever the instigator, sees an opportunity for some harmless fun. Grinning widely, he reaches over to Will, pretending to smother him with exaggerated kisses. "Who's a cute boy? Will's a cute boy!" 

Mike, still groggy from the anesthesia but protective in his own way, slurs out a warning to Lucas. "Hey, back off, Lucas!"

Max jumps in with a teasing accusation, "Oh, look at that! Mike's getting jealous!"

Lucas, momentarily pausing his mock affections towards Will, turns to Mike with a wide, teasing grin. "Mike, you didn't tell us you were the jealous type. What, can't handle a little competition?"

Mike, his words slow and slurred but his intent clear, responds with a half-hearted glare in Lucas's direction. "Maybe I am," he mumbles, trying to muster as much dignity as one can while under the influence. "Will's my... my person to call cute."

Oh god, Will could just die right now, what the hell is Mike talking about?

El leans back, "Mike Wheeler, admitting jealousy? Why can't we put him under anesthesia every day?"

El certainly was right, Mike was acting very different than he usually does, it's not too bad. Although Will doesn't know if he'd be able to handle this Mike every day; not when he calls him cute.

Jonathan, who has been trying to focus on driving, can't help but join in, glancing at the scene unfolding in his rearview mirror. "I can't even believe my ears right now," he says, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Never knew anesthesia could turn you into such a softie, Mike. What's next, love poems?" Max chuckles, her eyes say she's enjoying this too much for Will's liking.

Lucas adds fuel to the fire. "So, if Mike is claiming Will as 'his person,' does that make them official?! Mike aaand Will, sitting in a tree—"

"Lucas, shut up," Will mutters, trying to regain some semblance of control over the conversation, though the blush spreading across his cheeks tells a different story.

Mike, in his anesthesia-induced honesty, shrugs, seemingly unfazed by the direction of the conversation. "Yeah, sure," he says with a lopsided grin, his words slurred but sincere. "If that's what Will wants. I mean, why not? He's... he's cute, and he's my best friend. Best boyfriend material, if you ask me."

"Mike!" Will cries.

Mike turns to Will with a gaze that's earnest but clouded by the aftereffects of anesthesia. "So, uh, Will," he begins, his words meandering like a stream straying from its course, "you know how there's, like, a bunch of stars in the sky, and sometimes you see one that's, uh, brighter than the others? And you make a wish on it, but then you forget about it because you see a squirrel or something? But, uh, what if we didn't forget and, like, made the squirrel wish come true instead?"

He pauses, his brow furrowing in concentration as he tries to navigate through the fog in his brain. "Anyway, wanna be boyfriends?"

The randomness of Mike's lead-up leaves everyone in the car momentarily baffled, a silent beat passing before Max and Lucas burst into laughter,

"Mike, what the fuck are you saying?" Max blurts out.

Lucas, barely able to contain his laughter, chokes out between giggles, "I'm dying over here, man. That made zero sense."

Meanwhile, El is practically doubled over in her seat, tears streaming down her face from the sheer hilarity of the situation. Her laughter fills the car, infectious and joyous.

If Will could have one super power, he would choose invisibility—because then at least he'd be able to hide how his face is lit up like a Christmas tree right now.

He can't even believe this is happening...Mike, the guy he's had a crush on since elementary school was asking him out! Granted, Mike is under the influence, so Will doesn't take it as too much of a victory.

Mike tries to defend himself with a determined, if not slightly slurred, effort. "Hey, I mean it, though. Stars, squirrels... doesn't matter. The boyfriend thing, I mean that."

Max, Lucas, and El, still riding the high of laughter, turn their playful teasing towards Will. "Looks like you've got a decision to make, Will. Mike's laid his heart out... in the most Mike way possible," Max says through her chuckles.

Lucas adds, with a teasing glint in his eye, "Yeah, Will, you gonna leave our man hanging? He's pretty much professed his love in the most epic way."

El, wiping away the last of her laughter-induced tears, nods in agreement. "It's kind of romantic, in a very Mike-and-squirrels way," she says, her smile wide.

Will, his face still radiating heat from both embarrassment and the unexpected turn of events, manages an awkward response. "I—uh, this is just so... unexpected," he stammers, his heart racing at the thought of actually being Mike's boyfriend.

Jonathan, who's been trying to focus on the road, can't help but let out a "Wow."

Mike, his patience wearing thin starts to become noticeably whiny. "Wiiiilll, you haven't answered me," he drags out, his voice laced with a faux pout. "I'm being serious here. Do you wanna or not?"

Lucas, seizing the opportunity for more teasing, nudges Will playfully. "Come on, Will. The man's laying his heart on the line here. Plus, you don't want to listen to Whiny Mike all the way home, trust me."

Max chimes in, "Yeah, Will, just say 'yes' so he stops. You know you want to."

El, still smiling at the unfolding drama, nods encouragingly at Will.

Will, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on him and Mike's whiny plea echoing in his ears, finally cracks under the pressure—not that it takes much with Mike looking at him like that. "Okay, okay... Yes, Mike."

The whiny undertone in Mike's voice vanishes instantly, replaced by a brightness that seems to light up the entire car. "Yes? Awesome! That's... that's really awesome," he says, a grin spreading across his face.

Mike leans into Will, and for a heart-stopping moment, Will thinks Mike might be going in for a kiss. His heart races, his mind a whirlwind of anticipation and nervous excitement. But instead of a kiss, Mike's energy abruptly wanes as the anesthesia's effects catch up with him, and he slumps against Will, fast asleep, a contented smile still on his lips.

Max, peering forward with disbelief, can't help but ask, "Did he just fall asleep?"

Lucas nods, his grin wide. "Gotta love that timing. Mike sweeps him off his feet then takes a snooze. Classic." he laughs, then looks at Will. "Guess that's one way to end a date, huh, Will?"

As the laughter and comments swirl around him, Will catches Jonathan's eyes in the rearview mirror. Jonathan, with a mischievous gleam in his eye, announces, "I'm telling Mooom."

Will's eyes widen, and he protests immediately, "You better not!"

El chimes in with her own declaration, "Yeah, I'm definitely telling Joyce. She's going to love this."

Max, sensing Will's growing panic, laughs. "Wow, straight to Joyce, huh? That's cold, El."

El, with a playful shrug, responds, "What? It's big news. Joyce loves hearing about this stuff."

Will, attempting to regain some semblance of control over the situation, tries a different tactic. "Okay, okay, let's not get ahead of ourselves. It's not like Mike's gonna remember any of this when he wakes up," he says, hoping to divert their attention from the idea of telling their parents.

Lucas teases, "Oh, he'll remember. We have it on video, remember?" He gestures towards Max's phone, which has been documenting the events.

Jonathan, still driving, glances again at Will through the rearview mirror. "I don't know, Will. This feels like the kind of thing Mom would love to put in the family newsletter."

El nods in agreement, adding fuel to the fire. "Absolutely. 'Mike and Will's Big Day' sounds like a headline to me."

Will groans, covering his face with his hands. "You guys are the worst!"

Karen, while preparing the oatmeal, casts a thoughtful glance towards Mike. "Have you checked in with your friends yet?"

Mike, caught off guard by the question, furrows his brow in confusion. "No, not yet," he replies, wondering why she would ask. The events of the previous day feel like a blurred dream, the details hazy and indistinct.

Karen chuckles softly, recalling the scene from yesterday. "When they dropped you off, they seemed pretty worried about you. Well, Will did," she corrects herself, remembering the concern on Will's face. "Lucas and Max, on the other hand, were laughing like crazy. And El," she pauses, a playful smile spreading across her face, "she was doing her best to keep a straight face, but I could tell she wanted to join in on the laughter."

As Mike stirs his oatmeal, a warm feeling starts to spread through him, not just from the medication dulling the pain, but from the thought of Will's concern. He finds himself smiling at the idea that Will was there, worried about him, even as the rest of their friends found humor in the situation. It's a comforting thought, grounding even, amidst the haze of post-surgery confusion and discomfort.

He has only the faintest recollection of the car ride home, his mind clouded by the remnants of anesthesia. "Really? I don't really remember much," Mike admits, trying to piece together the events of the previous day.

"Yeah, it was quite the ensemble," Karen adds with a laugh. "You should probably text them or something. Make sure everything's alright."

Mike nods at his mom's suggestion, spooning up his oatmeal as he fishes his phone out of his pocket with his other hand. The screen lights up with a barrage of notifications, the majority of which are from their group chat.

Squinting at the endless stream of messages, Mike lets out a soft chuckle, "Not reading all that," he mumbles.

He slides the phone back into his pocket, deciding that some mysteries can wait until after breakfast. Turning his attention back to the oatmeal and the conversation at hand, Mike engages with his mom, sharing bits and pieces about school and his plans for the day, carefully steering away from the topic of his dental surgery aftermath and the mysterious group chat messages.

Finishing his breakfast, he stands, rinses his bowl, and places it in the dishwasher, a small sense of normalcy in the morning routine that he finds reassuring. "Thanks for breakfast, Mom. I better get going, don't want to be late," he says, offering her a smile that's only slightly hampered by the residual soreness in his cheeks.

Karen returns the smile, her eyes following him as he grabs his backpack and heads towards the door. "Have a good day, honey. Take care of yourself,"

With a quick wave, Mike steps out, closing the door behind him.

Mike sets his tray down at the lunch table with a tired thud, the events of the morning and his less-than-restful sleep combining to make him feel more exhausted than usual.

He notices Max, Lucas, and Dustin exchanging sly looks as he sits, a silent conversation seemingly passing between them. Mike can't shake the feeling that he's on the outside of an inside joke, his suspicion only deepening with their behavior.

Max, unable to contain a sly grin, casually probes, "So, Mike, how was your night? Sleep well?"

Mike, already suspicious of their cryptic smiles, raises an eyebrow. "Yeah, it was alright," he responds cautiously, his eyes darting between the three of them. 

Trying to mask his amusement with an innocent look, Lucas chimes in, "Just wondering if you had any interesting dreams, you know? Anything... or anyone special pop up?"

Dustin, barely holding back his laughter, adds. "Yeah, anyone in particular? Maybe someone whose name starts with 'W' and ends with 'ill'?" His grin is wide, and it's clear he's enjoying the moment.

The sudden shift in the conversation to Will, coupled with their barely contained snickers, sends a jolt of realization through Mike. He's suddenly very aware that there's something they're all dancing around, something that happened yesterday he doesn't remember.

"What's going on, guys? Spit it out," Mike insists. He has a sinking feeling that whatever he said or did while drowsy is about to come back in a way he hadn't anticipated.

As Mike's demand for an explanation hangs in the air, El arrives at the lunch table, setting her things down with a quiet grace. Mike's eyes instinctively scan the area around her, noting the absence of a familiar figure. Will, who almost always walks to lunch with El, isn't there.

El looks up, catching the tail end of the conversation. "What's up?" she asks, her eyes scanning the group, picking up on the tension and the poorly suppressed smirks.

Before anyone else can speak, Mike jumps in, his voice laced with concern. "Where's Will?" he asks, his brows knitting together. 

El shrugs, a nonchalant gesture that doesn't quite reach her eyes. "He said he was busy."

Mike frowns. "Busy?" he echoes, skepticism clear in his tone. That doesn't sound like Will at all. Will would have told him if he had other plans; they know each other's schedules almost as well as their own. A nagging worry begins to form in the pit of Mike's stomach. "That's bullshit," he mutters more to himself than to the group. Will being mysteriously 'busy' without a word of explanation to Mike? It doesn't add up.

Max nudges El. "Mike here was wondering what happened yesterday," she says, a mischievous glint in her eye. "You should tell him."

El lets out a sigh, her gaze shifting between her amused friends and Mike's expectant face. "Why do I have to be the one to tell him?"

Dustin can't help but add, "Because you're the only one who can manage to tell it straight without cracking up halfway through."

Why does everyone seem to know something I don't? Mike wonders, his mind racing.

El braces herself, seeing no way out of the storytelling duty thrust upon her. "Okay, Mike," she begins, a hint of amusement finally breaking through her serious demeanor. "After we picked you up from the dentist, you were... well, you were a bit out of it. More than a bit, actually."

She can't help but let a laugh slip. "You declared your love for everyone in the car, but then got really specific about fighting a Demogorgon with nothing but your fists... and cheeks? We weren't sure if you meant your face or... anyway," El shakes her head, amused at the memory.

Max and Lucas try to stifle their laughter, but fail miserably as El continues, "And then you started ranking how attractive you found Chris Hemsworth, Ryan Reynolds, and Idris Elba. You were very passionate about it, insisting they were 'the pinnacle of human evolution.'"

Mike feels a mixture of horror and embarrassment creeping up his neck. El isn't done, though. "But here's the kicker," she says, leaning in as if sharing a state secret. "You turned to Will and told him he was 'boyfriend material.' Yeah, you flirted with Will, saying he's cuter than all those actors combined. You were very... earnest about it."

El pauses, looking around the table at their friends, who are now gasping for air between laughs. "Did I miss anything else?"

Max, still chuckling, catches her breath long enough to add, "Oh, El, you forgot the best part. Mike didn't just flirt with Will; he straight-up asked him to be his boyfriend."

Mike, already reeling from the revelations of his antics, feels a sudden jolt of panic. His eyes widen in disbelief as he processes Max's words. "I did what?" he sputters, his voice pitching higher in shock.

He glances around the table, seeking any sign that Max might be joking, but the earnest—and highly amused—expressions on his friends' faces tell him everything he needs to know.

"No, no, no," he mutters, burying his face in his hands as a wave of embarrassment crashes over him. His heart races, thumping loudly in his chest as he imagines the scene: him, drugged up and making declarations of affection to Will, of all people.

Mike's mind races with questions and fears. What if he's ruined everything with Will? What if Will thinks he's a complete idiot? The possibility of facing Will now, knowing what he's said, fills him with a sense of dread he can't shake off.

"Please tell me you're messing with me," Mike pleads, his voice muffled by his hands, as he dares to peek through his fingers at his friends.

Lucas shakes his head in response to Mike's plea. "Unfortunately, we're not messing with you, man," he says, a hint of sympathy in his voice. "And Will's reaction... let's just say he was as red as you are now, completely flustered but didn't say no."

Hearing this only amplifies Mike's embarrassment. The thought of Will, flustered and possibly overwhelmed by his unexpected declaration, sends a fresh wave of panic through him. "No wonder Will isn't here," Mike mutters under his breath, the realization dawning on him. He turns to El, a sense of urgency creeping into his voice. "Where is Will? I need to clear things up."

El, caught in the middle, hesitates. "I think... I think Will would be pissed off if I told you."

"I've made a complete fool of myself," Mike let out, the full weight of his actions crashing into him anew. "Now, Will probably thinks I'm some sort of weirdo, saying all that stuff while I was out of it."

But beneath the surface, Mike was grappling with a deeper, more unsettling realization. Part of what he'd said under the influence of anesthesia was uncomfortably close to the truth. He did have feelings for Will—feelings he'd carefully kept under wraps, never intending for them to be revealed in such a chaotic, uncontrolled manner. The thought that Will might not share those feelings, and that this revelation could put a strain on their friendship, was agonizing.

El watches the turmoil unfolding in front of her, her heart softening for her friend. After a moment, she exhales deeply, relenting. "He's at the library, Mike."

Mike perked up at this, a flicker of hope cutting through the embarrassment and fear. "The library?" he echoes, mind racing with scenarios of how to approach Will, how to even begin untangling the mess he'd made.

Max leans back in her chair, her arms crossed as she observes the unfolding drama with a smirk. "Oh, great. Because we needed more drama in our lives."

Lucas throws his hands up in mock surrender. "Why does everything have to be so dramatic with you guys? Seriously, it's like watching a live soap opera. And let's be real here, Mike and Will have been doing this weird dance around each other for ages. You two are basically an old married couple minus the actual dating part."

Mike's face turns a deep shade of red, a blend of frustration, embarrassment, and the undeniable truth in Lucas's words sending a rush of heat to his cheeks. "Lucas, seriously, can you not?" he shoots back.

Dustin jumps in with a chuckle, leaning across the table to add fuel to the fire. "Yeah, Mike, when are you going to make it official? Should we start planning the bachelor party now or later?"

Mike rolls his eyes, trying to maintain his composure amid the teasing. "Guys, come on. It's not like that," he protests, though the warmth spreading through him at the thought isn't entirely unwelcome.

Lucas chimes in, his grin wide. "Nah, they'll elope. I'm calling it now. A dramatic escape on El's bike, with Will in the basket, E.T. style."

Dustin nods, taking the joke even further. "Absolutely, and the reception will be in the Upside Down. I hear the Demogorgons are excellent party planners."

Mike groans, shaking his head at his friends' wild imaginations. "You guys are ridiculous," he mutters, but he can't quite hide the amusement in his voice. "And for the record, there's no eloping, no bike baskets, and definitely no Demogorgon wedding planners."

Lucas raises an eyebrow, a sly grin spreading across his face. "That's what they all say. Next thing you know, you'll be picking out matching towels and arguing over throw pillows."

Dustin bursts into laughter, slapping Mike on the back. "Oh man, I can't wait for the wedding toast. 'To Mike and Will: may your love be as strong as your dental anesthesia.'"

Mike can't help but laugh, the tension breaking as he shakes his head at his friends' ridiculous antics. "I'm going to the library," he declares, standing up. "And no, before you ask, you're not coming with me."

"Fine, fine, go have your romantic reunion," Lucas calls after him, while Dustin adds, "Don't forget to update the group chat! We need live updates."

"Fuck you guys, not happening!" Mike calls back.

"Assholes," Mike mutters under his breath. "Should've just taken the numbing shots instead."

Approaching the library, Mike's pace slows, his heart hammering against his ribcage with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. The large glass pane at the entrance offers him a clear view inside, where he spots Will among the aisles, seemingly engrossed in a book.

For a moment, time seems to stand still as Mike and Will's eyes lock through the glass. The world outside fades into a blur, leaving only the two of them in sharp focus.

Then, suddenly, Will's eyes widen with surprise—or is it panic?—and the book he's holding clatters to the floor as he turns on his heel and bolts, disappearing deeper into the library's labyrinth of shelves.

Mike's heart skips a beat, then two, before instinct kicks in. He rushes into the library, the automatic doors barely keeping pace with his urgency. "Will!" he calls out, his voice swallowed by the library's hushed atmosphere. He weaves through the aisles, desperation fueling his steps as he seeks out his friend

The librarian, Mrs. Hackett, shoots him a stern look over her glasses, which Mike meets with an apologetic grin and shrug as he zooms past.

Will, meanwhile, seems to turn into a parkour expert, gracefully hopping over a beanbag in the teen section and sliding under a study table with the ease of a seasoned spy. Mike attempts the same maneuver, only to clip his shin and stumble, catching himself at the last moment and earning a few snickers from students nearby.

Bursting out of the library's back exit, Mike and Will's chase becomes a spectacle for anyone watching. They zigzag through a group of students practicing a dance routine, inadvertently becoming part of the performance. "Sorry!" Mike gasps out, as he and Will disrupt the formation, dancers scattering with surprised yelps.

The pursuit leads them around a bewildered art class, painting en plein air. Mike narrowly dodges a fresh canvas, leaving a trail of apologies in his wake, while Will leaps over a palette of paint, only to leave colorful footprints across the courtyard.

The chase takes them around the perimeter of the school, a full circle that brings them back toward the library's front. It's there, just as Will seems to falter, that Mike finally catches up. Reaching out, he grasps Will's arm, pulling him to a stop.

Both are panting, chests heaving, gazes locked once more—not through glass this time, but in the tangible, breathless space between them.

Gasping for air, Mike barely gets the words out, "Will... what... what the fuck?"

Will, equally out of breath, avoids Mike's gaze, his chest heaving. "I... homework..." he wheezes.

Mike, still trying to regulate his breathing, can't believe what he's hearing. "Homework... really? That's... that's the best... you got?"

Will, finally meeting Mike's eyes, looks equally exasperated and embarrassed. "I... panicked, okay?" he admits, each word interspersed with gulps of air. "I saw you, and... I just... ran."

As they both take a moment, standing under the bright sky, their breathing begins to steady. The ridiculousness of the chase, the reason behind it, and the unexpected exercise seem to hover around them, unspoken but palpably silly.

Mike, feeling his heart rate return to something resembling normal, finally loosens his grip on Will's arm. They stand there for a second, less like two friends caught in a dramatic chase and more like two kids who've just been caught playing hooky.

"It's about yesterday, isn't it?" Mike finally breaks the silence, his voice steadier now.

Will looks down. "Yeah, about that..." he starts, his voice trailing off before he gathers the courage to continue. "It's fine, I get it. You were just... woozy from the anesthesia."

Mike's own embarrassment mirrors Will's, a sheepish grin spreading across his face as he rubs the back of his neck. "Yeah, woozy,"

There's a moment of silence, probably about five seconds before Mike feels like he's going to explode if he doesn't make up with Will this instant.

Swallowing the lump in his throat he starts. "I'm so sorry, Will. I was an idiot, a complete idiot," Mike stammers, his words tumbling out in a rush. "You must have been so embarrassed. I just... I wasn't thinking. Well, I wasn't really capable of thinking, but that's no excuse."

He shakes his head, unable to meet Will's eyes, "And you, you were probably just trying to handle the situation without making me feel worse. You always do that, look out for me and stuff. And there I was, making a spectacle of myself and putting you on the spot."

Mike’s face is a picture of regret as he adds, "I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to keep your distance for a while, after that performance. I just... I hope I didn't mess things up too bad between us."

Mike scans Will's face for a sign of...something, anything really but all he finds is shock.

Will shifts uncomfortably, his gaze flickering to the ground before meeting Mike's eyes again. There's a long pause, one filled with so many unspoken words, before he finally speaks. "Yeah, I... I was embarrassed," he admits. A deep breath in, and then, "But I didn't... hate it."

Mike blinks, taken aback. "You... what?" he asks, his heart pounding louder than it did during their chase.

Both of them are blushing now, the air between them charged with a new, fragile understanding. "I mean, being called cute by you... it wasn't the worst thing. And you asking me to be your boyfriend," his voice drops to nearly a whisper, "I didn’t exactly hate that either."

Mike's mouth opens and closes, words failing him for a moment. This wasn't the conversation he'd expected to have, especially not after such a chaotic start to their day.

"So, you... you liked being called cute?" Mike finally manages, the corner of his mouth quirking up in a hopeful smile.

"Don't get ahead of yourself," Will huffs as he crosses his arms. "I didn't say I liked it. Just said I didn't hate it, you dork."

Mike's eyebrows lift in surprise, a chuckle escaping him. "Okay, okay, so not hate. Got it," he replies, his own arms mirroring Will's crossed stance in a playful imitation. "And the boyfriend thing? That was just... what? Tolerable?"

Will's expression softens, and he uncrosses his arms, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. "Maybe more than tolerable..." he admits, a small smile breaking through his earlier facade of indifference. "But let's not get carried away. You were under anesthesia, after all."

"Yeah, about that," Mike starts, scratching the back of his head, a nervous habit. "I might've been out of it, but... I don't know, Will. Maybe there's some truth to the whole 'truth serum' thing with anesthesia."

Will looks at him, curiosity and something else—perhaps hope—flickering in his eyes. "So, you're saying you meant it? All that stuff about... us?"

Mike takes a deep breath, his heart racing. This was the moment of truth, the chance to lay his cards on the table. "Yeah, Will. I think I did mean it. I mean, I do mean it." He lets out a shaky laugh. "God, this is hard to say without sounding like a complete mess."

Will's expression softens, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Well, if you're going to sound like a mess, then at least you're in good company," he says, his tone gentle and reassuring. "Because I think I might have been... sort of hoping you meant it."

Mike blinks, surprise flickering across his features. "You were?" he asks, his voice tinged with a mix of disbelief and hope.

Will nods, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. "Yeah, maybe," he admits, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I mean, you were all drugged up and stuff, but... I dunno, it felt kind of nice hearing you say those things."

Mike's surprise morphs into a grin. "So, what you're saying is, you like me drugged up and confessing my undying love? That's your type?"

Will laughs, the sound light and easy, dispersing the last of the tension between them. "No, you idiot. I like you, period. Though, I've got to admit, drugged-up Mike does make for a pretty entertaining story."

"Entertaining, huh?" Mike teases, stepping a bit closer. "Maybe I should consider it as a new strategy. You know, for our first official date. I could get my wisdom teeth removed again or something."

Will snorts, shaking his head. "Let's maybe stick to coffee or a movie, yeah? I prefer you fully conscious and less... drooly."

Mike chuckles, nodding in agreement. "Deal. But only if you promise to let me call you cute," he says, waggling his eyebrows comically.

"Never mind!"