"MATERIAL GIRL" // Will Byers x Reader

Home is Where You Are // CHAPTER 26

NOT THE END, JUST A NEW BEGINNING 

'Turn around, look at what you seeeeeeee-e-e-e-e-e-e,' Lucas and Max chorus, shooting amused glances at Dustin, who looks completely annoyed. He rolls his eyes, sitting cross legged on the Byers's floor. 

'Wait, did we get that verse right?' Max smirks. 'It's "unfold behind the clouds"?' 

'Yeah, but you're butchering it, so could you please stop?' Dustin glares, folding his arms. 

'So then join in, Dusty-bun,' Lucas mocks, kissing the air. 

'Yeah, come on, Dusty-bun, why don't you join us?' Max smiles, a new light in her eyes that I'd hoped would return. It was a rough few weeks after Billy's death, and we all agreed that he died a hero, saving El and I from...you know what. 

'You guys are so funny, you should be on Carson,' Dustin says in a flat tone. 

'Can't we just hear your rendition?' Max asks, tilting her head. 

'No.' Dustin says firmly. 

'Please?' Max wrinkles her nose. 'Just one verse?' 

'No.' He groans. 'No way. It's reserved for Suzie's ears and Suzie's ears alone.' 

Lucas and Max look at each other. 

'Turn around, look at what you seeeeeeee-' 

I laugh, tugging lightly on Max's braid as I stand up to go find Will. I can hear Mike in the background yelling for them to shut up, which only makes me laugh more. 

The Byers' decision to move to a new town was a difficult one, and one than came with many tears and anger. El would go with them, and me...well...I was going too. Convincing Karen to let me go was tough, and included a lot of stuff about new studying opportunities...something about following a different path in life...

Really, it was about not wanting to leave Eleven...

And of course, Will. 

Sometimes, you just know when separation can't be deemed an option. 

You just can't. 

Mike was furious with me, obviously. He eventually said that he'd miss me - and El, and that we'd have to call four times a week, otherwise he'd steal a car and track us down. 

He asked me if I was going to change my last name to Byers, which caused Will to choke on his water. Which made Eleven confused about why that was so bad. Which led onto a discussion about marriage, interrupted abruptly by Mike excusing himself to polish his turtle. 

'But you don't have a turtle...' 

'Whoa, dude.' Mike says as Will places his DnD box into the-  'That's the donation box.' 

'I know,' Will shrugs. 'I'll just use yours when I come back. I mean, if we still wanna play.' 

'Yeah, but what if you want to join another party?' Mike asks. 

'Not possible.' Will grins. 

Mike smiles back, glancing at me as I walk into the room. 

'You know, if we weren't together and you and El weren't together, I would ship you too,' I say, nodding thoughtfully. 

'Ew, what no!' Mike huffs. 

'Byler,' Will says with a tiny smirk. 'Just kidding.' 

'Yeah, sure,' Mike says sarcastically. 'Next thing you'll be shipping El and Max.' 

'I HEARD THAT!' Lucas yells from the other room. 

Mike rolls his eyes, staring at the two of us. 'Don't get into too much trouble.' 

'Oh, that'll be impossible,' I say, taking Will's hand. 

'Yeah, much too difficult,' Will agrees. 

Mike makes a sound of disgust. 'I'm going to find El.' 

'You do that,' I say, watching as his back retreats out of the room. 

'Have El's powers come back yet?' Will asks, leaning against the wall. 

'I don't think so,' I say, shaking my head. 'It's been pretty hard for her, I think.' 

Will sighs. 'I'm just glad that all of this is over,' he says. 'No more Mind Flayer, closing the gate...evil Russians...' 

'Shh, don't jinx it,' I say, bumping my arm into his. 'I'm going to miss Hawkins, though.' 

'Yeah,' he says. 'Me too.' 

'But we'll come back to visit,' I say, poking the wall. 'We will, Will.' 

'Haha,' Will says, laughing. His face becomes more serious. 'I hope you know that I'm glad you're coming with us. I don't think I could survive a new school without you.' 

'You'd have Jonathan,' I point out with a grin. 

'Yeah, but I'd much prefer you,' Will looks around. 'Hey, finally, some alone time,' he says, leaning in to kiss me. I sigh contentedly, my hands going around his neck. 

Maybe we aren't the most conventional couple,  but right now...

Things feel almost perfect.