𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐲 ✦ 𝐛𝐲𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫

vingt neuf, epilogue

march 21st, 1994. the flowers were beginning to bloom and there was nothing to fear anymore.

there was no obstacle.
time was on their side.

"so what are we now?"

"whatever you want us to be, mike."

he took a moment to think. they sat on a swing in will's garden. "remember the promise we made? all those years ago?"

will could only laugh. "what, the one where you asked me to be your boyfriend for a very long time? i kept it y'know."

"yeah, not for long enough."

"i'm not satisfied. i want to be with you for much longer than two measly years."

"three years, then?" will asked playfully.

mike shook his head.

"hmm, so four?"

he shook his head again.

"five?"
another rattle of the dark curls on mike's head.

"just how long do you want me for?"

"forever," he didn't hesitate. his eyes were completely serious. will had to look at him seriously, too.

"you've always been selfish, mike wheeler."

"the selfishest."

"that's not a word."

"it is now."

silence. the silence lovers would share. not an ounce of intensity nor awkwardness. will kicked his feet a little, causing the swing to creak.

"i agree to your conditions, mike wheeler," said the writer, confidently, "however, i only agree to them if you can promise me that you will be my boyfriend for a very long time."

"that can be arranged."

"i'm warning you, mike, i can be quite a handful."

"trust me, i know."

will punched him in the arm— mike didn't expect it to hurt, but unfortunately it did. "ow! rude." the smaller boy chuckled, about to speak again, but was cut off by a pair of lips planted on his own— they felt the same, warm and inviting. it felt like the kiss of no other, and his eyes involuntarily slipped shut out of pure bliss and adoration. it was messy, yes, yet beautiful, just like mike. messy and beautiful, will had to write that down later. and mike, who had never felt so wonderful in his life, had cupped will's rosy face and brushed his pointy nose by the others cheeks. the flowers and the sun, the grass and the morning, none of it could compare to the innocent prettiness of will byers.

and will had to smile again.

everything that they had been through was worth it for this one moment alone. will pulled away to catch his breath, only to be pulled back into another sloppy kiss a minute later.

still pretty, mike thought.