Work Text:
Late August, 1987
You sit in the Wheelers basement quietly drawing in the sketchbook your older brother Will bought you. You never used to understand why Will was always hanging out in a dusty old basement everyday. However, after months of sleeping in the space with your brothers you’ve realized that it’s actually really cozy (even though it smells like old person).
You had come inside because you got overheated- something that actually happened a lot. It always bothered you that other kids could stay out for so long without downsides when you would get so lightheaded you had to sit down. You hear the thuds of someone coming downstairs.
It was Will. He sat down next to you, “Hey, are you feeling any better now that you’re in the air conditioned basement?” He nudged your shoulder a bit. “Yeah, I just wish I didn’t have to come inside or take a break.” You stopped drawing to look up at him. He gave you a sympathetic smile.
”I know.. but at least you get to draw! I came down because they were getting so loud up there. Mike just kept rambling on and on- which I’m normally fine with! But then him and Nancy started arguing and-“ Will laughed at the thought. “Besides, I wanted to check in.”
You smiled and nodded “I’m just drawing, trying to keep my heart rate down.” Will nodded and peered over your shoulder to see what you were drawing. It was an unspoken rule that only your big brother was allowed to look at your drawings.
“You’re getting better at using colors well.” Will said, looking at your drawing. It was a little goblin character you had been working on recently. He wasn’t cute by any means- but you liked drawing him.
“Thanks.. but it doesn’t look real at all, or like the stuff you draw-“
”It shouldn’t look like the stuff I draw, it should look like the stuff you draw.” He said nudging your shoulder with his.
You nod silently. You disagree but don’t want to argue with Will. The world is still a little blurry from the heat earlier and your heart is still racing. None of your friends ever feel like this, “I wish I was normal.” You mumble softly.
Will stays quiet for a minute and shakes his head. “Everyone loves you the way that you are; Mom does, Johnathan does, I do.. and the Wheelers do too-“ “Not Ted” you interrupt. “Ted doesn’t love anyone.” Will said quickly.
”I’m just saying.. sometimes being different makes you feel alone, but you’re surrounded by people who are different.” Will ruffled your hair. “Besides, I like having a baby brother who isn’t like everyone else.”
”Hey! I’m not a baby!” You respond quickly, “I’m twelve now.”
Will looks at you for a minute with a sad looking smile on his face. You grew up right there next to him. “Let yourself be twelve okay?” You swear that you see him tear up- but maybe it’s just your imagination. You nod silently, but this time you don’t disagree with him.
“Growing up is hard.” You say softly, looking down at your drawing, feeling your own eyes well up with tears. Will puts a hand around your shoulder and speaks in a gentle tone, the same tone he spoke to you when you had nightmares growing up, “I know, but you don’t need to grow up just yet.” He pauses, “Even if everybody seems to be growing up without you.”
With that you let out the sob you’ve been holding in. Tears drop on your drawing and Will closes the sketchbook for you. “Hey..” Will continues to speak to you in that ‘post nightmare’ tone. You sniffle and wipe your nose. “Look at me.” He directs.
”No.” You mumble stubbornly between sobs, which makes Will laugh a bit. You just keep looking right at the floor as you cry. Meanwhile Will is trying to get you to look at him, which is a lost cause. He manages to wipe a few of your tears away.
“Will!” You retort, pushing his hands away. “Okay, okay!” He stops trying to help and instead rests his arm over your shoulder, the other hand making patterns on your face, something your mom used to do to help Will sleep.
” it’s nice.” You mumble, your tears slowing down a bit at the familiar motions. Will smiled softly and nods.
”I promise you don’t need to grow up yet, and when you do I’ll still be here. No one is gonna leave you.” Will slowed his soothing motions that mirrored your mother. You nodded silently, and you felt at peace.
it’s going to be okay.
You glance at the clock, it’s only 8pm but your eyelids are getting heavy from exhaustion. You yawn and your brother smiles at you, “You can go to bed now if you want, I know it’s early for summer but-“ “mhm..” you respond sleepily, getting under the blankets on the couch in the Wheelers basement.
”You can go back up..” you speak from under the blankets. “No, I think I’m going to stay down here and draw.” Will said, a hand briefly ontop of your head. You hear the sound of Will’s favorite record as you doze off.
It’s going to be okay.
And you believe it.