Chapter Text
WILL POV
Mike walked in silence by his side, but a decidedly arrogant smirk stretched across his lips. Right before the final bell, he had slipped into a black button-up shirt that was terribly wrinkled and a little faded, but the sheer effort was enough to leave Will completely undone.
“So… where are we going?” Will asked for the third time.
They had been walking for about thirty minutes, and the crisp November air was seeping through his clothes. His hands were frozen, and his feet had gone completely numb.
“Food first, I told you!”
“First?” Will shot him that look, the one that made Mike crumble every single time: bright eyes emphasized by a miserable little pout.
“You’re cute, but that’s not going to work.”
“I’m cold… Are we getting there soon?”
With a swift motion, Mike unwrapped his own scarf to gently loop it around Will’s neck. The residual warmth of the fabric immediately soothed his frozen skin. Mike’s scent enveloped him, making him feel as though he had been plunged into a sweet, familiar cloud.
“Thank you…” Will murmured. “Are you sure you won’t be cold?”
“Nah, don’t worry. I’m so excited about tonight, I’m practically burning up.”
They were heading deeper into downtown Hawkins, which was particularly deserted that night. Under the glow of the streetlights, a few military patrols were still watching the street corners. Suddenly, Mike pulled him to a stop. Will looked up at the glowing sign.
“Enzo’s?” He stared at Mike, whose smile didn’t waver for a second. “Could you have picked a more cliché date spot?”
“I wanted us to make up for every single date we never got to have… I want us to do all the clichés tonight… so what better way to start than a candlelit dinner at Enzo’s?”
“That’s sweet…” he smiled, a pleasant warmth blooming in his chest. “Did you make a reservation?”
“Of course!” Mike stepped forward to push the door open. “After you, Your Majesty.”
“Your Majesty?”
“Yeah, you better get used to it. I’m going to treat you like a prince tonight!” Mike’s eyes dropped to his shoes. “Because you deserve nothing less. And so much more.”
Will felt that familiar buzz deep in his stomach. Those butterflies fluttering inside his chest. Every day, he felt like he loved him a little bit more, even when the day before, he had thought it was physically impossible. And yet, the curve seemed to slope inexorably toward infinity.
“So you’re a hopeless romantic tonight, is that it?” Will teased.
They stepped into the restaurant; the main dining room was dimly lit by a warm glow, with candles decorating every table. The atmosphere was cozy, intimate. The restaurant was nearly empty: in the back, an elderly couple was sharing a dessert; in the center, a business dinner seemed to be taking place. The waiter seated them all the way in the back, in a quiet, discreet corner hidden from view. Once they settled across from each other, Will felt a sudden pang of nervousness knot his stomach.
“This feels weird…” he breathed. “We’ve had dinner together a million times before… but tonight, it just feels… different.”
“Honestly, me too,” Mike admitted. “My heart’s beating a mile a minute and my mouth is totally dry.”
Will scanned the room around them. “Aren’t you worried people might look at us funny?”
“No way, we could easily just be two friends having dinner!” Mike offered a reassuring smile, reaching out to briefly brush his fingers against Will’s. “Nobody is paying attention to us anyway, don’t worry.”
Will nodded, finding temporary refuge in reading the menu. But he could feel Mike staring at him. When he looked up, he met Mike’s gaze head-on—intense, completely mesmerized.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I was just thinking… that the candlelight reflecting on your skin is… unreal. You’re beautiful, Will.”
“Stop, you’re embarrassing me…” Will felt his entire face flush a deep crimson. “Are you drunk before we’ve even had a drink or something?”
“Sorry.” Mike shook his head. “I have an idea to help us loosen up. You see that old couple over there?”
“Yeah.”
They were sitting two tables over. The old woman was holding her partner’s trembling hand on the tablecloth. They were sharing a dessert while whispering secrets into each other’s ears.
“The game is to guess their names, what they used to do for a living, and how long they’ve been in love. I’ll start.” Mike turned sideways to analyze them for a second. “Her name is Dorothy, she’s a retired schoolteacher. His name is John, former banker. They’ve been together since high school. Actually, they’ve known each other since kindergarten, but John was a little slow on the uptake… You know what I mean?”
Will burst into a genuine laugh, suddenly feeling all the built-up tension evaporate like magic.
“Are you comparing me to Dorothy right now?”
“Hey, honestly, she’s pretty well-preserved!”
“Shut up!” Will joined in on the game, narrowing his eyes. “My turn. I bet her name is Mary and she used to be a florist. And he’s Dale, a retired train conductor. They’re celebrating their thirty-fifth wedding anniversary.”
Mike raised an eyebrow, skeptical.
“Why a florist?”
“Because I noticed she has dirt on her pants, so I’m guessing she loves gardening.”
“Okay, Sherlock. And why a train conductor then?”
“I don’t know, he just looks like the type to wear a little train conductor hat.”
Mike smiled just as the waiter came to take their order. True to their old childhood habits, they picked a selection of appetizers and desserts to share in the middle of the table.
“It’s frustrating, we’ll never know who actually guessed right,” Will sighed, casting one last knowing glance toward the elderly couple.
They spent the rest of the meal swapping spoons, laughing over high school stories, or passionately debating the temporal logic of the latest Back to the Future movie. Under the table, the game had grown bolder. Every now and then, Mike’s foot would brush against Will’s ankle. Sometimes, it was Will sliding his own foot up the length of Mike’s leg.
The hours slipped by and the restaurant cleared out, but he wasn’t bored for a single second.
Will let his gaze drift over Mike’s dark curls, which fell with perfect carelessness over his forehead. The dim lighting sculpted the shadows of his cheekbones and jawline. His black shirt, despite the wrinkles, made the brightness of his eyes stand out beautifully. The top few buttons of his collar were undone, revealing a patch of skin at the base of his chest. Will’s mouth went instantly dry. A wild impulse surged through him: he was dying to taste those lips, to let his mouth trace down his neck…
“Will, you okay?”
“Yeah…” Will breathed, his voice a little rougher than he intended. “I just really want one last dessert…”
“Oh, do you want to order something?”
“No, you idiot. I’m talking about you.”
Mike’s face flushed instantly, a delighted grin stretching across his lips. He checked his watch abruptly. “Ah! Perfect, we’re right on time for the next part of our schedule!”
“The next part? We’re not going home after this?”
“Surprise, Will. Trust me.” Mike stood up in a flash, tossing the bills onto the table. “Come on, let’s go!”
Right before reaching the exit, however, Mike spun around and marched back to the grandparents’ table. He whispered a few words into their ears, making the old woman chuckle and earning a friendly wave from the old man, before jogging back over.
He grabbed Will’s arm to pull him outside into the night.
“Well, we were both completely wrong,” Mike snickered, firmly lacing his fingers through Will’s. “Her name is Meredith and he’s Josh. She was an accountant and he was a football coach. But you were right: she loves gardening! So I told Josh he should try a train conductor hat sometime, because he’d look incredibly sexy in it.”
Will rolled his eyes, a breathless laugh escaping him. “You’re an idiot…”
They walked hand in hand for a few minutes. The midnight cold was still biting, but the warmth of Mike’s palm and his sheer proximity were enough to radiate through his entire body. The streets were quiet ; they felt completely alone in the world.
“So, are you going to tell me? Where are we going?”
“We’re almost there, Will,” Mike murmured, tightening his grip on his fingers. “I told you we were doing the full romantic cliché experience. After a romantic dinner, what’s the logical next step?”
“Getting on a plane, going to Paris, and kissing in front of the Eiffel Tower?” Will smiled widely, grinning from ear to ear.
“Something realistic, Will.”
“Hmm… Catching a movie at the theater?”
“Bingo!”
Will glanced skeptically at the face of his watch. “But it’s almost midnight, Mike. There aren’t any showtimes at this hour…”
“Exactly.”
Mike didn’t say another word. He simply pulled him along a little faster, before stopping dead in his tracks right at the foot of the Hawkins Theater.
Just like that night.
They stepped silently into the lobby, the comforting warmth enveloping them immediately. Behind the counter, Steve was closing up the register. He looked up at them, his eyebrows raised slightly.
“I thought you guys were never gonna show up...” he sighed, slamming the cash drawer shut. “Look, I’m exhausted, and all I want right now is to go home. So I’m leaving you the keys, but no messing around this time, okay? No weed, no alcohol, and no getting anything messy on the seats!”
Mike rushed forward to catch the keychain Steve tossed his way.
“Yes! Promise, we’ll leave the theater exactly the way we found it.” Mike smiled shyly. “Thanks, Steve.”
“Thank your sister. I don’t know how she does it, but she always finds a way to convince me...” Steve slipped on his jacket. “Alright, I’ll be back first thing in the morning. So make sure you’re ready to leave before seven.”
“Got it! Thanks again.”
“I already threaded the film for you. Theater three, like I told you, Mike. Alright, see ya tomorrow!”
Steve then vanished into the darkness of the street. Will turned to Mike, who was wearing a wide, proud smirk.
“We have the whole theater to ourselves? Just the two of us?” Will asked, still unable to believe it.
“Yeah, a few hours completely undisturbed... Not bad, huh?” Mike was already walking toward the snack counter. “I’m just grabbing some supplies... What do you want?”
“But we can’t just take things without paying!” Will called out, walking over to Mike, who was already rummaging through the candy bags.
“Will. Nobody is going to notice. Just pretend it’s the end of the world and we’re the last two survivors on Earth.”
“But we aren’t.”
“We might as well be. Come on, help me carry some of this, my hands are full!”
Will sighed and grabbed a few cans of Coke, some chocolate bars, and a bag of marshmallows while Mike stuffed his backpack with all kinds of sweets.
“Okay, I think we’re good here.”
“Yeah, we definitely won't be running low on sugar.”
Mike grabbed his hand and led him through the theater corridors, which were plunged into darkness. The only light came from the glowing red “EXIT” signs, casting a crimson hue against the velvet walls. A flash of memory hit Will... It had been so recent, and yet, so much had happened since that day.
“We’re not going up to the roof this time?”
“No, this time I planned everything out. Somewhere warm to watch a movie, just the two of us. That’s even better, isn’t it?”
They walked into room number three. The projector was already running, casting a blank rectangle of white light onto the giant screen, streaked with dust motes dancing in the beam. The rows of red velvet seats seemed to be waiting just for them.
“I’m going to start the movie. Go find us a spot while I do,” Mike said, climbing the steps toward the projection booth.
Will walked down a row, right in the center of the theater. He had never had so many options available to him. Mike was right: the place had a post-apocalyptic vibe. He sank into the worn seat. The comfortable, familiar cushioning reminded him of all those moments from his childhood when he would sit there, his eyes glued to the imaginary worlds unfolding before him.
Before he even had time to catch his breath, Mike was already back at his side, and the first images were coming to life on the screen.
“What are we watching?” Will asked.
“What do you think? What kind of movie makes for the perfect romantic date?”
“A horror movie?” Will smiled.
“Obviously.” Mike opened a bag of candy on his lap. “Evil Dead. That good with you? It’s too late anyway, we don’t have a choice!”
“Perfect.” Will popped a piece of candy into his mouth. “Though if I get scared, I might crush your hand.”
“I don’t know if we’re actually gonna watch much of the movie...” Mike shot him a teasing smile.
“Mike...”
The movie began. As the opening credits rolled, the atmosphere grew heavy and oppressive. The camera pushed through the dense trees of a thick forest to reveal the isolated, sinister cabin, accompanied by a sharp, unsettling score. Will had seen the movie several times before, but he was instantly sucked back into the universe, his eyes locked on the screen. Suddenly, the cellar door flew open on its own with a loud, slamming crash. Will jumped right out of his seat and grabbed Mike’s hand, squeezing it tightly. He could feel Mike’s eyes on him, fighting back a laugh behind a tight grin.
“It just startled me...” Will muttered.
“It’s crazy. You fought Demogorgons, you got trapped in the Upside Down, and yet you’re still scared of a horror movie.”
“It’s not the same thing, it just surprised me, that’s all.” Will wedged a piece of candy between his teeth.
Mike squeezed his hand tighter. Will could feel his lingering gaze, so he turned his head. In the flickering light of the projector, Mike’s dark eyes shone with a hypnotic intensity. His pale skin, dusted with freckles, stood out beautifully against the surrounding shadows. The soundtrack echoed through the dark room, and yet, Will felt like the only thing he could hear was Mike's breathing. Heavy. Muffled.
“Will... Can you sit on my lap? I want to feel you on me...” Mike let out, never breaking eye contact.
Will obeyed. He stood up and sat down across Mike’s thighs, sinking his full weight against his chest. The action of the movie kept playing in front of them. Teenagers were getting hacked to pieces, blood was spraying across the screen, and yet, all of Will's attention was focused on the heat pressed right against his ass. Mike wrapped his hands around Will’s hips, pulling him closer to fuse their bodies together. He began tracing slow, circular motions with his pelvis, grinding his dick relentlessly against Will’s backside through the layers of fabric. Right beneath his ear, Will could feel Mike’s warm breath, his lips brushing against the sensitive skin of his neck.
“This reminds me of the first time we ended up like this...” Mike’s whisper vibrated deep down into Will’s core. “In front of that Polaroid... And inside the Star Wars booth...”
Those words and the memory of their secret trysts made Will’s own dick throb painfully inside his pants.
Mike kept going, his movements growing more intense beneath him, “I don’t think anything turns me on more, Will. Feeling your ass against me like this...”
It was too much. In one smooth movement, Will turned around and straddled Mike, wrapping his legs around his hips. He locked his feverish gaze with Mike’s.
“You’re not gonna see much of the movie like this...” Mike smiled.
“I don’t care.”
And Will leaned in, kissing him deeply, his tongue sliding desperately into his mouth. He was panting, his entire body feeling like a wildfire. His hands cupped Mike’s jaw to deepen the kiss while their tongues tangled together at a frantic pace. Mike’s hand slid under Will’s t-shirt, gripping his hips. He massaged his skin roughly, pinching him, pulling him hard against his chest. His fingers drifted lower, slipping beneath the waistband of his pants.
“Will... Take your pants off... take everything off, please. I want to feel you against me.”
Without hesitation, Will shed his jeans and boxers, kicking them down to his ankles. Mike did the same; his freed dick snapped hard against his own stomach. Will shifted, sliding himself down until Mike’s dick was nestled right between his cheeks. The direct friction sent a jolt of raw pleasure straight to his crotch.
“God!” Mike already seemed to be losing his mind.
Mike’s thrusts became harder, more rhythmic. His hard dick pulsed and slid between Will’s flesh. His hands migrated to the small of Will’s back, gripping him tightly. Their lips wouldn't part, their tongues dancing tirelessly.
Mike pulled back just enough to whisper against his mouth, “Will, I brought something... Do you think we could... try it again?” He reached out his arm to pull a bottle of lube from his bag's pocket.
Will simply nodded, unable to make a sound.
“Tell me you want it,” Mike urged.
Will intensified the movement of his hips, rubbing himself against Mike from top to bottom before leaning close to his ear, “I want it so bad, Mike. I want you to put your fingers inside me. But not just that...”
“Not just that?” Mike groaned, his voice completely hoarse.
“I want you to take me. I want us to make love. I want to feel your dick inside me. Deep. For real.”
Mike growled, his fingers tightening on Will’s skin. “Really? It’s my first time, Will... Are you sure you want to do this now?”
“It’s mine too,” Will panted. “But I want it so much. I want it to be with you. It’s perfect here, right now.”
He looked straight into Mike’s eyes—eyes he knew he could lose himself in for the rest of his life. “I love you.”
Mike poured a generous amount of lube onto his index finger, rubbing his fingers together for a moment to warm the gel before stroking Will’s entrance. “Fuck, I love you so much too.”
His finger slid slowly inside, just the tip of the first knuckle at first. Will felt that same sensation he had tasted the night before. It was incredibly tight, like an unbreakable barrier. But Mike’s scent, the taste of his lips, and the heat of his dick against his thigh swept his anxieties away.
He wanted more.
“Go ahead, Mike. You can do it.”
Mike pushed his finger a little further, and it slid easier against the warm walls. A sharp ache flared up; Will arched his back and Mike froze.
“Are you okay?” Mike whispered.
“Yeah... Just give me a second.” Out of breath, Will buried his nose into Mike’s neck, breathing in his scent.
He pressed burning kisses right under his jaw, working his way back up to his lips, and desire took over again. He shifted his hips slightly to accommodate the finger inside him.
“It’s good, keep going.”
Mike pushed his finger deeper, starting slow, steady thrusts. Will kept kissing him passionately at the same time. After a moment, Mike’s finger curled inside, rubbing against a specific spot, and Will felt a wave of pure pleasure crash over him violently, rushing up his spine and shattering his mind. His body shook, seized by uncontrollable spasms.
“God, Mike! Again, keep going, more!”
Mike slid a second finger in, gently stretching the walls to make room and targeting his sweet spot. Will felt incredibly full, and he wondered how Mike’s thick dick could physically fit. But just the thought of it sent a wild, insatiable urge vibrating through his entire being.
“Mike, I'm not gonna last much longer. I want you. I want you to fuck me. Now!”
“God, Will, I’m already on the edge. It won't take long...”
“I don’t care.”
In the space of a heartbeat, Mike poured a large amount of lube directly onto his erect dick, coating him from tip to base. He repositioned himself, lifting Will’s hips with his firm hands to align him right above him.
“I’ll let you take care of the pace. I don’t want to hurt you.”
Will nodded and slowly lowered his hips. He felt Mike’s head, wet and slick, pressing against his entrance. Mike held the base of his shaft to guide it. Then, Will pushed down gently on his hips, taking his dick inside. He stopped for a second, his breath completely catching in his throat.
“God, Mike... You’re so hard, so thick...” He could feel Mike’s dick pulsing inside of him, and that fullness made him want to take it all.
Slowly, he adjusted his hips and sank down a little more, forcing his way through. He tensed up from the intensity of the penetration, but Mike reached up to gently caress his cheek, refusing to take his eyes off him.
“You’re so beautiful. I want you to look at me. I want to see you lose control.”
Will relaxed at those words, feeling his walls open up to fully welcome Mike’s warm, lubed dick inside him. This time, he dropped down in one sharp motion, riding him all the way to the hilt. Mike groaned loudly, throwing his head back, his hips twitching frantically.
“Wow, this is...” Mike reopened clouded eyes. “So fucking good. I’m gonna come, Will.”
His hand clamped down on Will’s hip while his other hand held him firmly by the back of his neck. Will initiated the movement, the pace of his thrusts increasing steadily as he lifted and dropped himself on him. Pleasure consumed him entirely; it was a brand-new sensation. Feeling Mike’s dick so deep inside made him feel like their bodies were fusing, like Mike was nothing more than an extension of himself. He wanted Mike to slam all the way home, even harder. Forever. The shaft slid and hit his flesh, their sweaty skin slapping together in a dull, steady rhythm. The sound of the movie soundtrack, still blasting behind them, no longer existed. All they could hear was the sound of their short breaths, the frantic beating of their hearts, and the slick friction of their naked bodies.
“Fuck... I’m coming, Will!”
Will could feel Mike tensing and arching beneath him, his internal walls contracting convulsively around the dick that felt like it was doubling in size.
Mike gave one last thrust, burying himself as deep as he could go at the exact moment his hot cum pumped in waves inside Will. That warm jet against his sweet spot instantly triggered Will’s orgasm. Without him even needing to touch it, Will went over the edge, painting his seed across Mike’s chest. Will let out a muffled cry against his shoulder, his body trembling with spasms, while Mike locked his arms around him.
The end credits rolled across the screen while Will remained slumped against Mike’s chest, catching his breath. As his senses slowly came back to him, Will let his gaze drift downward and froze. In the flickering light of the projector, a stark, white stain was perfectly visible, marring the dark fabric of Mike’s shirt.
“Oh, shit…” Will murmured, a guilty smile tugging at his lips.
Mike ran a tired hand through his dark curls. “What? What is it?”
“Your special black shirt… the one you wore specifically for our perfect first date…” Will pointed a finger at the mark on his chest. “I think I kind of ruined it.”
Mike looked down, blinked a few times, and then let out a low, raspy laugh that vibrated right through Will’s chest.
“It’s okay,” Mike murmured, pressing a soft kiss to Will’s forehead. “Should we try to get a few hours of sleep before we have to leave?”
“Where? It’s not exactly—” Will started.
But Mike gently slid down onto the floor, pulling Will down with him onto the theater’s worn carpet. He rummaged through his backpack for a long moment before pulling out a small wool blanket he had discreetly swiped from his own living room.
He draped it over their bodies. Will nestled his head comfortably into the crook of Mike’s neck, hooking one leg over Mike’s, while Mike’s arms wound tightly around his waist.
“This is the first time I’ve ever slept in a theater…” Will whispered against his ear.
“Me too. A lot of firsts tonight, huh?”
Will smiled into the dim light. Curled up against Mike’s familiar chest, he let himself be lulled by the steady rhythm of his heartbeat and the distant hum of the projector idling in the background. The exhaustion of the day, combined with the heavy afterglow of his orgasm, washed over him like a warm wave. His eyelids grew terribly heavy. He surrendered completely to their protective little bubble, drifting softly into a dreamless sleep.
3 Months Later
He stood in front of Hopper’s cabin, looking exactly the way it did that night. Without warning. But this time, the winter sun shone high in the sky, casting a harsh, bright light through the trees.
His heart was hammering wildly against his ribs. They hadn’t spoken to each other since that infamous Halloween night. He had tried to call her so many times, but he had been constantly met with a painful radio silence.
Everything changed two weeks ago, when she finally agreed to meet with Mike. They had talked it out for several hours; El had admitted she was deeply hurt to find out the truth the way she did, but she had ultimately told him she was happy for them. Deep down, Will knew she would be understanding—it was just like her to always put her friends’ happiness before her own. Even so, a cold, nagging guilt still clung to his stomach.
He needed to talk to her face-to-face.
The cabin door suddenly swung open to reveal Hopper, who eyed him from head to toe.
“Will? What are you doing here?”
“Sorry to just show up like this… I was careful, I promise. Can I talk to El?”
Hopper furrowed his brows, hesitated for a second, and finally let out a heavy sigh. “She’s training a bit further out in the woods. Follow me, I’ll take you to her.”
After a few minutes of walking through the quiet woods, Will finally spotted her. At the foot of a massive oak tree, she was crouching, out of breath, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. Her workout gear made her look like a fierce warrior. Hearing the rustle of footsteps in the dead leaves, she looked up, and their eyes met.
“Will?”
He stepped closer and quietly sat beside her, resting on a thick root. “I’m sorry to interrupt your training…”
“You are not interrupting.” Her gaze drifted back toward the edge of the woods. “You wanted to talk to me?”
“Yeah… I tried to call you so many times. But I get it, you had every right to be mad. I’m so sorry.” The words tumbled out of his mouth, tangled by sheer nervousness. “I know you talked with Mike, and I’m really glad things are better between the two of you. I just wanted you to know that I never wanted to hurt you. That’s the last thing I ever wanted.”
He could feel tears pricking his eyes when a sudden warmth over his fingers made him flinch. El had placed her hand over his. Her gaze had softened.
“It's okay, Will. I know.” She took a slow breath before continuing. “I just needed some time to process everything. You know, weirdly enough, I wasn’t that surprised about Mike. He lied to me a lot, hid things from me… Let us just say communication was never our strength. But with you, it was different. I thought we were completely honest with each other.”
“I feel so awful.” El’s hand tightened affectionately around his. “I was a coward, and I was terrified of facing reality… I should have… I should have told you…”
“No, Will, it makes sense. I've had time to think about it, you know? And I understand. It wasn't easy for you.”
“I’m so sorry…”
“Please stop apologizing. And honestly, I think it's much better this way. It’s the way it was always meant to be. Mike and I, it would never have worked out in the long run. Deep down, I always knew it was you.”
Will blinked, caught completely off guard. “That it was me?”
“The love of his life.”
Epilogue
HONK!
The sharp, raspy blare of a horn abruptly jolted him out of his sleep. Will slowly blinked his eyes open, instantly hit by a splitting headache. The night had been incredibly short: after their graduation ceremony, the whole party had spent hours finishing up their final D&D campaign. Despite how exhausted he was, a sweet warmth filled his chest at the thought. He was so happy they had gotten the Wheeler basement back. Following Karen and Ted’s divorce, the lawyers had ultimately decided to award the house to Karen and the kids. Now, Mike and he spent every other night sleeping either in this familiar basement or in Will’s tiny broom closet of a bedroom.
And it was perfect.
HONK!
That damn horn again. Who could possibly be making that much noise so early on a Sunday morning? He painfully dragged himself out of bed, his limbs feeling like they weighed a ton. His joints popped, and his back was a total wreck. When he stepped through his bedroom door, the apartment was still dead to the world: Jonathan was snoring loudly on the living room sofa bed, and his mom hadn’t gotten up yet. He peeked through the narrow window, and that was the exact moment he saw it.
A beat-up old Pinto.
Mike was leaning against the car door, staring directly up in his direction. Catching sight of Will’s face, he gave a wide wave from the sidewalk.
In a split second, Will’s exhaustion evaporated. He flew down the stairs, pushed the building’s front door open, and was instantly greeted by Mike’s beaming smile. Mike was wearing sunglasses and a neon-orange short-sleeved button-up, wide open over a crisp white t-shirt. The early summer sky was a brilliant, vivid blue, and the morning breeze did little to cool the rays of a sun that was already burning hot.
“Ah! Finally!” Mike called out. “What took you so long?”
Will stared at the vehicle, a battered orange Pinto that matched his boyfriend’s loud shirt perfectly. “Whose car is this?”
“It’s mine!” Mike proudly slapped the dented metal bodywork. “Pretty sleek, huh?”
“Wait… you bought it?”
“Well, yeah, used. Why do you think I’ve been grinding through all those terrible part-time jobs this whole time?”
“Does it even run?” Will asked skeptically.
“Of course it runs! It’s actually gonna get us out of this rat hole right now!”
“What? What do you mean?” Will’s eyes widened.
“We’re leaving, Will!” Mike pointed dramatically toward the passenger seat. “Get in!”
For a second, Will’s eyes drifted inside the car. Sitting right in the middle of the worn-out seat was a cardboard box, slightly crushed on one side.
“What is that?”
“Open it and see.” Mike’s grin grew even wider.
Will stepped forward and leaned inside the car to grab the box. When he lifted the lid, he found scattered strawberries, whipped cream, and a slightly smashed sponge cake.
“A Strawberry Shortcake?” His pulse suddenly quickened.
“Yeah… Sorry, I kind of dropped the box, so half the strawberries went flying. But it should still taste good…”
“But it’s not even my birthday...”
“Yeah, I know, but it’s a special day. And besides, you know… I missed a year. Consider us officially even!” Mike turned to wrap his hand around the steering wheel, his eyes shining. “So, are you getting in or are we just gonna grow roots on the sidewalk?”
Will looked down at the ruined cake, then out at the open road stretching ahead of them, before locking eyes with Mike again—who was still wearing that proud, smug, and incredibly attractive little smirk.
“You didn’t pack any bags?” Will asked.
“I have the cake, Will,” Mike replied with a casual shrug. “And I have you. What else do we need?”
A tender smile brushed Will’s lips as a sudden spark of inspiration hit him. “Just one thing. Let me go back up, just give me five minutes.”
And before Mike even had time to protest, Will was already sprinting back up the steps. Once in his room, he snatched the small, wrapped box he had been secretly preparing for months from his drawer. Then, as his eyes landed on his closet, another burst of genius struck. He grabbed his white jacket and threw it on in a hurry.
Five minutes later, on the dot, he was back in front of Mike, completely out of breath.
“No way, is that your Joker jacket?” Mike exclaimed, his eyebrows furrowing. “Why are you bringing that out now? You’re gonna roast in that thing!”
“It’s for the occasion. Come on, let’s go!” Will slid into the passenger seat, his mysterious little box tucked safely in his pocket and the cake balanced on his knees.
Mike climbed into the driver’s seat. He turned the key in the ignition, and the engine suddenly roared to life with a sputtering, gravelly rattle, sounding like the poor car had smoked three packs of cigarettes a day its entire life.
“Are you completely sure this piece of junk isn’t gonna explode on us?” Will teased, turning toward Mike, who looked entirely unfazed.
The Pinto finally shot forward down the street. Instantly, a rush of cool air flooded through the open windows, drying the thin layer of sweat clinging to his skin. Will watched the scenery blur past. The dirty, noisy streets of his neighborhood soon gave way to the highway, which was almost completely empty—an endless boulevard just for the two of them. Soon, Hawkins would be nothing but a distant memory.
“Where are we going, anyway?” Will asked, his eyes fixed on the horizon.
“Where do you want to go?”
Will let the question hang for a moment, but the answer already echoed inside him with absolute certainty. “To the sea. I want to see the ocean.”
“Well, if we just keep driving straight, we’re bound to hit a coast eventually, right?”
“Logically, yes. But depending on the route we take, it could be a really long drive…”
“Even better, we have all the time in the world. That’s what a real adventure is, isn’t it?”
Suddenly, Will felt an overwhelming wave of freedom wash over him. For the first time in his life, he didn’t feel suffocated anymore, no longer trapped by a cursed town and the heavy judgments of its people. They were free.
“How about some music for the road?” Mike pressed a button on the radio. Instantly, AC/DC’s piercing electric guitar riff blasted through the car’s speakers.
“Highway to Hell!” Will shouted into the wind, a massive smile lighting up his entire face.
Mike laughed along with him. His right hand left the steering wheel, sliding onto Will’s thigh to give it a tight squeeze.
“It’s pretty fitting!” Mike offered a knowing look. “Except for the two of us, after everything we went through to get here… it’s more like a Highway to Heaven, don’t you think?”
The cool sea breeze and light spray gently brushed against his feet. Beneath the palms of his hands, the sand was warm, completely soft. Mike was sitting right by his side, their shoulders pressed tightly against each other, his gaze lost toward the horizon. The orange sun was setting, casting a warm, almost surreal glow over the ocean that stretched endlessly before their eyes. Will’s fingers tightened around the small box, hidden deep inside his jacket pocket—his famous Joker jacket.
“You really refuse to take that jacket off, don’t you!” Mike laughed, watching him.
Will stared at his pocket, then he locked his eyes into Mike’s. “I brought a little gift for you.”
Mike’s eyes widened. “A gift? What’s the occasion?”
Will slowly pulled the box from his pocket and handed it to Mike, who settled it into the palm of his hand.
“Do you remember that night in your basement, three years ago?”
“Whoa, that’s a little vague. There were a lot of nights, Will.”
Will felt his cheeks instantly flush. “No, I mean that night... You stole a bottle of your dad’s scotch and we played that game with the d20.”
“Oh, yeah.” Mike flashed a smirk. “Of course I remember. I could never forget it.”
“You gave me a yes. You promised me I could use it whenever I wanted, that you’d be forced to accept, no matter what I asked. Do you remember?”
Mike narrowed his eyes. “That’s true. And you never used it, right?”
“No. But I want to do it today. Right now. Open the box.”
Mike slowly opened the box.
The old d20 was resting there, carefully placed on a piece of red velvet. And, delicately wrapping around the die, a solid silver ring shone beneath the last reflections of the sun.
Mike looked up. “What is—”
“Will you marry me?” Will blurted out, his eyes shining. “Right here, right now, on this beach?”
Mike froze, his mouth slightly open. A heavy silence hung between them, suspended, until a breath finally escaped his lips. “But Will... You know that’s not possible? We’re not allowed to get married...”
Will caught Mike’s hand and squeezed it tightly, his gaze full of confidence. “I know. But since when do we care about what’s allowed or not? We make our own rules, Mike. Carpe Diem, remember?”
Mike’s smile instantly returned, lighting up his face. With a slightly trembling hand, he grabbed the ring and slid it onto his ring finger. It was a perfect fit.
“Well, I don’t really have a choice, then. A promise is a promise.” Mike leaned toward him, his lips brushing his cheek in a whisper, “Yes, I do, William Byers.”
Then his lips shifted until they met Will’s. The kiss was gentle, like the caress of a wave. Will then softly pushed him by the shoulders, letting Mike tip back onto the sand. He slid over him, his knees framing Mike’s hips. He deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding against Mike’s in a slow, feverish, and mesmerizing rhythm.
In Will’s mind, time ceased to exist.
His thoughts seemed to float, cradled by the calm and peaceful murmur of the waves.
And there, at world’s end, the vastness of the ocean had finally washed away the ashes of their past, leaving behind nothing but the fire—that fire that would never stop consuming them.