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The cabin was suffocating.
Not because of the walls pressing in or the dim lighting, but because of the tension. Everyone was shouting over each other again, their voices a chaotic blur as they debated their next move against Vecna. Will had tried to speak up earlier—tried to suggest something useful—but as usual, he was drowned out by the louder voices in the room.
He didn’t blame them. Not really. He was used to it.
Will slipped out the back door, careful to close it quietly so no one would notice. The cold night air was a relief, a sharp contrast to the stifling heat inside. He leaned against the side of the cabin, pulling the crumpled pack of cigarettes from his pocket.
He wasn’t sure when it had started—probably after the move to California. Jonathan had a habit of leaving his smokes lying around, and one day, curiosity got the better of him. It wasn’t like he was addicted or anything; it just helped sometimes, when the world felt too heavy.
The lighter sparked, and Will took a drag, exhaling a thin stream of smoke into the darkness. The woods around the cabin were eerily quiet, the kind of quiet that made his skin prickle. But for now, he didn’t care. He just needed a moment to breathe.
“Will?”
The voice startled him, and he fumbled with the cigarette, nearly dropping it. He turned to see Mike standing a few feet away, his expression a mix of confusion and concern.
“Mike,” Will said, his voice strained. “What are you doing out here?”
“I should be asking you that,” Mike replied, stepping closer. His eyes flicked to the cigarette in Will’s hand, his brows knitting together. “Are you—are you smoking?”
Will flushed, quickly stubbing it out on the ground. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Not a big—Will, are you serious?” Mike’s voice rose, and Will winced.
“Please don’t make this a thing,” Will said, his voice quieter now.
But it was too late. The cabin door creaked open, and suddenly, there were more voices.
“What's going on?” Eleven asked, her eyes darting between Mike and Will.
“Will was smoking,” Mike said, his tone sharp.
The words hung in the air, and the reaction was immediate.
“Wait, what?” Dustin said, stepping outside with Lucas and Max close behind.
“Are you serious?” Max asked, crossing her arms.
“Will,” Joyce’s voice cut through the chaos as she emerged from the cabin. Her expression was a mix of shock and disappointment. “You’ve been smoking?”
Will felt his chest tighten as everyone’s eyes bore into him. “It’s not a big deal,” he repeated, though the words sounded hollow even to his own ears.
“Not a big deal?” Joyce’s voice rose. “Will, that’s dangerous! You know better than this!”
“I just needed some air,” Will said, his voice cracking. “I needed... I needed something.”
“You couldn’t talk to one of us instead?” Mike asked, his voice softer now but still laced with frustration.
Will laughed bitterly, his hands trembling. “Talk to you? About what? About how no one ever listens to me? About how I’m just the kid everyone looks at like I’m fragile? Like I’m some... some broken thing that needs protecting?”
The words spilled out before he could stop them, and the silence that followed was deafening.
“Will,” Eleven said softly, stepping closer. “We don’t think you’re broken.”
“Yes, you do,” Will snapped, his voice trembling. “Maybe you don’t realize it, but you do. I’m just the kid who got taken, the one who’s always on the sidelines. And I’m tired of it.”
Joyce’s expression softened, tears shining in her eyes. “Will, we love you. We just... we just want to keep you safe.”
“I know,” Will said, his voice barely above a whisper. “But sometimes it feels like you’re smothering me instead.”
Mike stepped forward, his gaze steady. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Will looked at him, his anger fading into something more vulnerable. “Because I didn’t think you’d care. You’re always busy leading the group or worrying about El or... or just being you. I didn’t want to bother you.”
Mike’s face fell, and he opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out.
Joyce reached out, placing a hand on Will’s shoulder. “We’re here for you, sweetie. Even when it doesn’t feel like it. But smoking? That’s not the way to cope.”
Will nodded, tears streaming down his face now. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I just... I didn’t know what else to do.”
Joyce pulled him into a hug, and for a moment, the tension eased.
Mike stayed back, his fists clenched at his sides. “You’re not a burden, Will. You never have been.”
Will met his eyes, something unspoken passing between them.
As the group filtered back into the cabin, Joyce squeezing Will’s hand before following, Mike stayed behind.
“You scared me,” Mike admitted, his voice barely audible.
Will wiped his eyes. “I didn’t mean to.”
Mike hesitated, then reached out, his hand brushing Will’s arm. “If you ever need air... or anything... Just tell me, okay? I’ll be here.”
Will nodded, his heart aching in a way that felt both painful and comforting.
For the first time in a long time, he believed it.