"MATERIAL GIRL" // Will Byers x Reader

He's Back // CHAPTER EIGHT

(just for reference, all the characters are 16-I know they're younger in the show but just for this book it makes more sense...)

(there is no smut in this chapter for those of you who may wonder about the shower scene)

JE TE LAISSERAI DES MOTS 

'It's not your fault,' I say, bringing his forehead towards mine. Will's shoulders shake as he wraps his arms around my back. 

In a low voice, he whispers. 'I felt him.' 

The horror on my face must be evident when I pull away, because Will shakes his head sadly, turning away slightly to stare into the empty trees. 

'He's back?' I mutter, squinting up into the canopy of branches. 'He's really back?' 

Will nods. 'Just now, when I was standing there,' He points. 'I felt him again for real. I've been noticing things...small things, that I've tried to ignore. But I can't-' he gulps in a breath. 'I can't anymore.' 

'At the movie theatre,' I say, raising my eyebrows. 'And again on the hill.' 

His eyebrows knot together. 'How did you know?' 

'You forget how well I know you,' I say, smiling despite the situation. 'I just..knew.' 

'Your lips are blue,' Will points out. 'I don't want you to freeze to death.' He takes my hand. 'Let's go.' 

'What're we going to tell the others?' I ask, sighing. 

'We'll figure that out tomorrow,' Will shakes his head. 'Do you want to stay at my place for the night?' his cheeks turn bright red. 'To..uh, sleep I mean.' 

'Yeah,' I nod quickly. 'I'm supposed to be at Max's right now, but I highly doubt Karen'll mind either way.' 

Will nods. 

_

He tosses me a towel, laughing as it almost hits me in the face. I catch it before it hits the ground, drying my face off. 

'I'm going to freeze,' I complain, shivering against my will. I can barely feel my hands and my feet are completely numb inside my sneakers. 

'You should go take a shower,' Will suggests, shaking out his wet hair. 'Don't worry, no one else is home right now.' 

I smirk. 'Are you going to join me?' 

'Do you want me to?' 

'Uh.' 

'Uh.' 

I break the awkwardness by untying my shoelaces and kicking my shoes off to the side. Okay, so that didn't exactly break the awkwardness, but at least I did something. 

Will sits down on his bed, looking around at his walls, an embarassed expression on his face. 

'Well, uh, i'll be back soon.' I say slowly, grabbing the towel again and walking out towards the bathroom. 

I turn the hot tap on all the way, (with some cold, obviously) stripping down and hopping into the shower. The water runs down my back, bringing feeling back into my legs and feet. 

After a few minutes, I hear footsteps outside the door. Leaning out of the shower, I glance around the curtain. Will's standing by the door, looking thoroughly nervous, but somewhat confident. 

'So...' He trails off. 'You don't mind if I join you..?' 

Damn, he's getting bold. 

'Go ahead,' I say, hiding my smile. I turn around while he takes off his clothes, trying to keep my gaze on his face as he steps in. Will lets out a nervous laugh, his eyes darting all over the place. 'Dude, my face is up here,' I say, grabbing the bottle of shampoo. 

Will smirks, gently taking the bottle out of my hands. 'Let me do that.' 

'Okay, but you better do a good job.' 

'Turn around,' He says. 

I shoot him a suspicious look, but turn around anyways. I can hear him put the shampoo bottle down, moving his hands to my hair. He's surprisingly skilled as he rubs shampoo all over my head, making sure to do the ends. 

'You look like a snowman,' Will comments, pulling his hands back. 'Okay, rinse.' 

I step under the spray, closing my eyes as the water runs down my face. My breath hitches in my throat as turn around again, looking directly into Will's eyes. 

He slowly leans forward, bending over to kiss me. Will hesitates, 'Can-' 

'Yes,' I say, standing on my tippy toes as our lips meet. He places his hands on my bare waist, slowly traveling around to my back. 

The amount of self restraint- 

His lips taste faintly of mint, and his hands are soft against me. With an awkward breath, Will pulls away, bringing clearing his throat. He turns slightly to the side, clearing his throat again. 

'Uh, sorry,' He scratches the back of his neck. 'I should-uh-' 

I nod, my cheeks flaming. 'Yeah. Sure.' 

Will grabs the towel off the ground in a swift moment, wrapping it around his waist. He passes me one from the cupboard, and I pull it around my shoulders. 

At least I know that even with catastrophe on the horizon, I can still count on Will to be my lifeline. 

I just hope he knows I can be his as well.