𖤐•𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧•𖤐; Byler

-𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟸-

MIKE is downstairs in the living room with El watching a movie. El's head lies on Mikes chest. Mike likes nights like this. Nights where him and El do more then just make out. Nights where he actually feels like he's in a relationship.

The constant make out seshes didn't bother him in the beginning but after awhile I guess you could say it got boring. He hates admitting it, he feels like an awful person for even thinking it. It's not El's fault, this is her first relationship, and things are good but Mike needs change.

El looks up at Mike who is zoned out, definitely not paying any attention to the movie.

"Mike?" El says, interrupting Mike thoughts.
"Huh? Uh, yeah? What's up?" Mike flusters.
"Are you watching? She asks. "Yeah, yeah, I'm watching." He lies. "Why do you lie?" El confronts. "I-I'm not.." "Then what's going on right now?" Mike looks up at the TV hoping that he can quickly piece together what's happening. "Uhh, th-the guy and u-uh, h-he was um, uh, a-and the kid, t-the-" Mike stutters. "Forget it."

El gets up from Mikes chest and makes her way to the bathroom. Mike let's put a big sigh as he throws his head back on the couch. Mike doesn't know why he can't focus on anything. It feels like he's there but not. So much is going on his head.

El comes out of the bathroom and grabs her sweater. "Can you take me home, Mike, it's getting late" El asks quietly. Mikes eyes focus at the clock on the wall. 7:00pm, late? "Sure" he says as he gets up to put his shoes on.

El gets on to the back of Mikes bike and they start the trip to the Byers house. It's been a real convenience with Hopper and El living with the Byers now. Makes the trip so much shorter.

As they pull up to the house Mike notices there are no lights on throughout the house except for the porch light.

"Is Will home?" Mike asks "He's probably wherever he goes at night" El states while eagerly getting off the bike. Mike sits on what El said for a minute. Before he can ask any questions about it, El is already inside and the door is shut.

On his way home, Mike can't stop but think if Will is okay. It's pretty much pitch black outside, where could he be right now?

While riding his bike by the cemetery, a familiar voice travels through the air. Mike looks around searching for the source. His eyes fixate upon a figure walking parallel to him across the street.

"Will!" Mike yells as he jogs over to the boy walking almost in a zig-zag.

Will pays no mind to the voice running toward him. He pays no mind to anything around him, really.

"Hey man" Mike approaches and pats will on the back.

Will jumps in shock. How long had he been zoned out?

"Mike?" Will questions. "W-what are you doing here?" He stutters.

"Just heading home, then I saw you." Mike answers. "What are you doing here?" He questions.

Will can't tell him the real reason he's hanging around at a cemetery. He'll just think he's pathetic.

"I-I um.." Will tries hard to think of an excuse but his mind is so flustered. "Just going f-for a walk." Will makes up.

"Oh uh, ok." Mike wonders why Will would be going for a walk in the pitch black. And why at a cemetery?

"D-do you want to stop by the house for a little, I'm sure El would like that." Will asks.

"Oh..uh yeah sure. I actually just came from there, just dropped El off." Mike says.

"Oh, yeah that's right. Sorry, I forgot she was at yours tonight." Will says shakily.

"Yeah, she was acting kind of weird earlier. I'm not sure if she would want to see me but you and I can just hang out if that's ok?" Mike asks, hoping Will says yes. It's been way too long since the two of them hung out, just them.

"Oh, uh, y-yeah that's fine with me." Will smiles at Mike, he can't stop but stare into his brown eyes. For a split second he felt calm, safe, in a way.

Mike smiles back at the beautiful boy in front of him. Every time he looks at Will, he starts to feel like what's been missing inside of him for a long time has finally been found, with every look the missing piece becomes more and more filled.

Mike runs over to grab his bike and the two boys start to walk back to the Byers house. When all of the sudden clanking comes from Wills bag. Shit. Shit. Shit. Not right now. He can't find out right now. Not like this. Will continues to walk hoping he didn't notice. Luckily Mike payed no mind to the clanking.

When they got inside of the house, El was sitting in the living room watching some cartoon on the TV. El looks up for a second but almost immediately looks back away. Mike notices this but for some reason he isn't upset. He is unfazed by El's action. Will and Mike walk down the hall to Wills bedroom.

"Glad to see this room hasn't changed." Mike says while looking around. He makes his way over to Wills desk and sees his sketchbook sitting wide open.

"Omg Will! You drew this?!" Mike exclaims as he looks at the drawing of a big three headed monster.

"U-uh yeah, it's just a sketch for a painting I want to do." Will answers.

"It's amazing! I can't wait to see what it looks like painted." Mike beamed. "You are so talented, Will" He adds.

Will can't help but smile from ear to ear at Mikes comment. No one has ever said that to him, well except for Bob. Bob would always draw with Will. He's the main reason why he's continued, a way to feel him again.

"Thank you"

Mike flops down on Wills bed next to where Will is sitting. 

"So, how are you, man? I feel like we never talk anymore, I feel like I don't know anything about you anymore" Mike stated.

It was true, the two boys have definitely been way more distant lately. The only time they ever talk anymore is when Mike is over, hanging out with El. And even then, the only words that are spoken are "Hi" and "Bye".

"I've been good." Will assures. I mean it's not like he can tell Mike the truth. "What about you, anything new with you? He asks.

"Not really, just the same old same old. Well, my parents have been fighting a lot more recently, but I think it's just temporarily. They always have these phases." Mike responded, with a slight uncertainty in his voice.

Mike sits up, now aligned with Will on the foot of the bed. He looks at Will who is staring at the wall in front of him. He can't take his eyes away from the beautiful boy next to him. Will breaks contact with the wall and looks over at Mike. Their eyes lock in place with each others.

Mike doesn't even care about if he's making it obvious anymore. He can't look away from Wills big hazel eyes. He can't help but get lost in them.

The boys sit in silence for a moment when Joyce walks into the room.

"Will, honey, we brought back you and El some food from the restaurant, it's on the counter." Will and Mike break contact and look over at Joyce who stands in the doorway.

"Oh Mike, I didn't know you were here, I'm sorry I would've brought you something if I knew. I thought El would've said something." Joyce assures.

"Oh, it's ok Mrs. Byers, I ate before I came." Mike responds. Joyce decided to keep her last name after the marriage.

"Oh okay, good. Well you boys have fun. Will, I'll put your food in the fridge for later, ok?" Joyce added as she walks down the hall.

Mike gets up from the bed. "I think I should head home now, it's getting pretty late, but I'll see you tomorrow at school?" He says.

"Y-yeah I'll see you tomorrow." Will replied.

"Cool"

"Cool"

Mike leaves and Will can't stop thinking about how long they sat just looking at each other. What did it mean?

Authors Notes
So sorry this is such a slow burn! I promise there will be some Byler action soon! :)