Will's eyes shot open and he breathed heavily. Another nightmare. Hawkins in despair. He looked to the other side of the bed for Mike but he noticed that he wasn't in bed. He pulled himself off the bed and he walked down the hall looking for Michael. "Mike?" He called.
"I'm down here, Will!" Will made his way downstairs to Mike who was eating cereal. There was a beautiful Christmas tree up and lights all around. These decorations that were supposed to bring joy only brought unwanted memories for Will.
"Want some? I can get you some."
"I'm good." Will said sitting next to Mike who laid his spoon down.
"How was your sleep?" He asked and Will lowered his head looking once again into his lap.
"I slept fine.." That was a lie. Will saw Vecna again taunting him, forever looming over him.
"Are you sure because you were talking in your sleep?" Mike asked, concerned. Will looked up at Mike.
"What was I saying?" Will asked.
"You.. you kept calling my name. You sounded scared. I was going to wake you up but eventually you stopped. I wasn't sure if you'd want me to. I probably should have." Mike explained. "So, do you remember what that was about?"
"It was probably nothing." Mike then tried to change the subject.
"How has school been for you? We only have like what, one class together?" Mike asked.
"Yeah, I mean aside from kids who knew me in middle school, no one's really bothered me so much, you know? Just some people asking me if I'm that zombie kid." Will spoke softly.
"People are still talking about that? God.. I'm so sorry." Mike said.
"It doesn't matter. It was a long time ago." Mike's raised an eyebrow.
"Are you sure?" Mike asked seeing through him.
"I'm okay, Mike." Will said crossing his arms, uncomfortable.
"You don't have to act like you've moved on. What you went through in the upside down.. It was horrible and I don't even know half of it." Will felt his heart sink. Memories started to flood back.
"Can we.. can we just not talk about this, please?" Mike instantly regretted pushing him.
"Sorry." Will shook his head laughing a bit. Mike raised an eyebrow.
"We keep apologizing to each other." Will covered his mouth as he laughed. Mike felt his face heat up and he got up picking up his bowl and spoon.
"Well, I want to be a better friend and that means apologizing for all the stupid things I do, you on the other hand don't need to apologize." Mike said as he poured his cereal down the sink.
Will got up and walked over to Mike who was just turning away from the sink. Will embraced Mike tightly. Mike tensed up and placed one hand on Will's head and the other around his waist.
"You okay?" Mike asked.
"I just missed you.. I missed you so much." Will confessed. The way he said it, it was like he had just met him after years of not seeing him.
"I missed you, too." Mike said pulling away. "Also, are you planning to cut your hair or you like it all shaggy like this?" Mike touched Will's hair.
"Speak for yourself." Will said laughing.
"What, you don't like it?" Mike fluffed up his hair.
"No, I do, it's just getting really long." Will said clasping his hand together.
Mike's eyes lowered a bit below Will's eyes once again. He wore a smile. "Well, I'd love to continue catching up but I've really gotta get back home. My mom's probably super worried right now." Will explained. Mike's eyes shifted back to Will's.
"Ah, right. You should go, I'll see you Monday!" Mike said walking Will to the door. Will smiled.
"See you." Will said before turning and heading off. Mike sighed closing the door.
Mike glanced towards the phone and squeezed his eyes shut. He then opened them after a moment and walked over to the phone. He dialed a number and then waited. The phone was picked up quickly.
"Hello?"
"El."
"Mike, hello, is Will Ok-"
"We need to talk."
"Oh, okay. Let's talk."
"No, I mean meet up and.. Talk."
"Oh."
The two decided to meet later that day where they first met. Even though it was in the woods the two remembered exactly where. That day had changed the both of their lives forever. It was also the same day Mike had lost Will. The day that apparently started his life in which he knew deep down was a lie.
As Mike walked he noticed how dark the sky was. Vecna was becoming stronger. Eventually they would have to face that they'd have to fight him again.
"El, you're here." Mike said as Eleven walked to him.
"I am. Hi, Mike. What did you want to talk about.. And why here?" El spoke in confusion.
"This is where we first met." Mike stated.
"I know."
"That's why I feel like it's the right place to do this?" Mike breathed in and out.
"Do what?" El asked with a worried expression.
"Please don't hate me.. I just... I don't love you." El's eyes widened.
"Mike-"
"I know, I'm horrible, I'm a jerk, and I'm so sorry! I'm sorry I took so long! I'm sorry I lied to you!" Mike yelled.
"Lied?" El asked.
"I.. I told you I loved you in California. I.. Will helped me say it. We needed you to save everyone... and you did!" Mike explained.
"Oh... well, not everyone." El's eyes started to water. Mike nodded and then he continued.
"I think I liked the idea of you. The idea of this hero! You were my Superman and I was just Lois Lane.." Mike mumbled. "Look, I care about you so much but, I really do, I just don't love you. I realized I didn't love you when you kissed me, before you and Will left to California.. I didn't love you, not like that." El's eyebrows were furrowed, clearly hurt from the cruel truth.
"You haven't loved me for.. for so long." Eleven mentioned.
"I just don't- I can't love-"
"You can't love Superman anymore because it would not be honest?" Eleven asked. Mike's eyebrows furrowed matching El's. He looked into her eyes and spoke truthfully.
"Yes." El looked down and didn't say another word.
"Can we still be friends?" Mike asked. El looked up with an intense expression.
"I need time, Mike." El said walking past Mike.
"Wait, El!"
"Mike, just give me time, okay?" El said. It went quiet and then Mike spoke.
"O-Okay." El then left. Mike's breathing started to go wild.
"I.. really did that.." Mike whispered out of breath.
He was terrified of losing Eleven, she was basically a superhero and she was his friend how could he not be? He eventually picked himself together knowing he'd soon push himself to face the truth of his identity he'd been forcing away for so long.
YOU ARE READING
This Is Christmas
Fanfiction[This story takes place 8 months after season 4] Mike has always been in denial about his feelings towards Will. He had pushed him away multiple times because of this denial but now Will and his family is back in Hawkins. Will has been a wreck this...
