One and Only (Byler)

Is this really the end?

The next few days were spent buying supplies, and planning for the rout through the Upside Down. The plan seemed simple - the group would sneak out (undetected by their parents) and wait at the top of the hill, until around midnight. That's when the gate would open once again. One by one, each of them would lower themselves by a rope through the gate, and, from there, it was quite hazy as to what they would do next. As for the alternate universe, that would have to be looked over.

Will sighed, staring out of the window. Mike's head was in his lap, and he was reading a book, completely dead to the world around him. Will would unconsciously stroke the other boy's hair every now and then, a small smile on his face. It was storming outside, and most of the party were taking cover from the rain, in Mike's basement, waiting for the storm to die down enough for them to go out again. Steve and Eddie had gone to Robin's house.

Mike looked up at Will, lowering his book. "What's up?" Will gave a start, looking away from the window. "What?" He blinked, before fully taking in what Mike had said. "Oh, it's nothing. Just thinking." Mike gave him a suspicious look, and then a smile crept onto his face. "About what?" He paused. "You've thinking about me, aren't you! Will, I'm flattered," he teased, and Will gave him a light push on the arm, laughing. "You wish, Wheeler."

Mike laughed too, sitting up. "Ok then, what are you thinking about?" Will hesitated, before dropping his head onto Mike's shoulder, and pulling a face. "I don't know. Everything just been a big mess lately, and my mom wants us to get out of town, move away from everything..." Mike's face dropped, and his voice lowered to a whisper. "A fresh start." Will glanced at him, nervously chewing on his bottom lip. "Yeah." They fell silent for a bit.

"Do you want to? I mean, you don't have to stay here, and fight. You've done your part by now, more than enough. I'll miss you though." Will could see the storm clouds reflected in his dark eyes. "Hawkins isn't home without you, Will." Will loved it when Mike would talk like this. So soft, so sincere. He seemed to be going back to his old self now, slowly accepting who he was, admitting what he felt, and being more affectionate. Mike even looked happier in recent days.

Will smiled at him again, his face lighting up in a way that made Mike's heart flutter. "I don't think that I would ever really be able to leave, even if I wanted to do. I grew up here, and..." He glanced at Mike, who had that same, gentle, dreamy look on his face. "I met you here." He blushed, looking down. Lucas looked over to them, turning away from Dustin. "Alright, what's going on between you two?" Dustin nodded, and Max looked smug, mirroring El's expression.

Mike smirked, glancing at Will. "Nothing's going on. We're just best friends." Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"Best friends who cuddle?"
Mike nodded, linking hands with Will.
"Yep. We're like this. You should try it with Dustin, it's really warm." Lucas pulled a face and furrowed his eyebrows, and Dustin hid his face, mumbling incoherently. Lucas turned to El, who looked like she was thoroughly enjoying the situation.

"What do you think, El? You're boyfriend is literally cuddling with another guy." El shrugged, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She was wearing a black dress with an array of shapes and colours on it, and half a dozen bracelets were sliding up and down her wrist. "Looks completely platonic to me. Just two best friends, being close. Mike is right." Lucas huffed indignantly, and Dustin leant over to him, whispering something into his ear. Lucas's expression softened, just slightly.

Max looked up from her place making friendship bracelets on the floor, and handed one to El, watching her with a smile as she eagerly added the purple to her selection of rainbow beads. A bolt of lightning struck across the dark sky, and the group jumped, startled. El stood up, swaying on her feet a little bit. "I think I'll go home, it's getting late." She turned to Will. "Are you coming?" Will hesitated, his eyes landing on Mike. "I think I'll stay. If that all right with you...?"