Hold My Heart // Byler

007

Will can't breathe.

El's words hit him like a sword, right in the gut. Mike looks over to Will and eyes him suspiciously.

Will forcefully pulls his eyes away from the ground. Mike is peering at him as he whispers " Painting? What?"

" It's nothing", Will replies shyly.

Mike hums and adds " Nothing.." He and Will descend up the stairs and into Mike's room.

**************
As soon as the scent of Mike hits Will, he feels at home. He closes his eyes and takes in the scent of Mike's room. It smells just like him. Will looks around and notices a stack of crumpled paper on Mike's desk.

Will walks toward the papers, as if they're meant for him. He taps his finger before turning around and quickly breathing out " What are these?"

Mike sucks in a breathe as he realizes what the stack of papers is. Fuck, I left them out. He shakes his head as he hurries over to his desk and shoves the papers into his desk drawer.

" It's just me writing down thoughts and whatnot, helps with feelings.. or- uh.."

" Hey, Mike?"

" Yes?"

" Are- uh- are we okay?"

This catches Mike's attention. Okay? Why wouldn't we be okay... Oh! Maybe because I have a crush-

" Yes!" , Mike blurts out. " Um, why wouldnt we be?"

  He seriously doesn't know why? Jesus.

" Oh, nothing! I just.." Will turns to face him and quickly spits out before he can think " I can sense a difference, and maybe its because we haven't talked in a year or.."

Mikes breath hitches. He blinks quickly and sighs. " I just.. it feels like we've grown apart but I- I dont want that."

  Will sighs and says " Well.. I don't want that either." He peers at Mike through his lashes and shyly smiles.

  Mike smiles back and says " So.. how has California been? I've been too infatuated with other things and I forgot to ask you."

It could've been better, Will thinks. But he doesn't dare to say it. There's no need to worry Mike about things that don't matter.

" I mean.. obviously I have really missed Hawkins, and it is completely different there, but it's growing on me.."

" Well, I think it's really cool. And Hawkins has missed you too.."

" Aww, Mikey, are you trying to say you missed me?", Will coos teasingly

Mike seems shocked but then his twisted face melts into a soft smile. He rolls his eyes and says " Oh shut up, I'm never saying anything nice to you ever again!"

Will looks genuinely upset by these words, but then has a teasing smile on his face.

Mike leans against the wall next to Will and says " So, when El was talking about a uh.. painting? What was she talking about?"

  Will darts his gaze to Mike. " Um.. it was just a stupid project that I.. was working on and I didn't even finish it.", he spits out quickly.

  Mike says " Bullshit. But uh- I'll leave you alone about it...", he repositions his body facing away from Will and slumps his shoulders, almost fake pouting.

  Will sighs and says " Okay, I'll show you." He walks over to his backpack and takes out the painting. Before he can hesitate, he practically shoves the painting in Mike's hands.

Mike quickly unravels the rolled up painting. As soon as he takes in the image, a big grin comes onto his face as he almost gasps.

The painting is a portrait of Mike. It's zoomed in on just his face, so you can see very clearly each individual feature. Mike parts his lips and slightly shakes his head, still bewildered.

" Will..", he glances at him before continuing, " .. this is the best painting I've ever seen. I- I mean its incredible, I don't even.." He turns to completely face Will. " You're amazing."

Will dips his head and says " Its not even- okay whatever. This is embarrassing."

Mike smirks and says " Aww, honey, is this embarrassing for you? Im so so sorry sweetheart I'll never-"

Will cuts off Mike by nudging Mike's shoulder with his own. " Stop it."

Mike says " Come on, you know I'm sooooo funny you just cannot resist-"

Will giggles before saying " Mike, okay- I'm tired, and I'm going to bed so shut up!"

Mikes laughter fades but he still smiles just as wide. " Oh okay, me too honestly."

*************

Once the two get situated, Mike turns his lamp off. He looks down at Will in his sleeping bag and says " 'Night Will", in a singsong voice.

Will snickers and says " Shut up. Goodnight, Mike."

Will adjusts to a sleeping position but he can't sleep. He lays awake almost all night so close to the sleeping boy above him.

But what he doesn't know, is that the " sleeping" boy is wide awake the whole night too.

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A/N: AHAHAHAHA so basically this chapter took so long to be published BECAUSE i was definitely procrastinating which direction to go but i decided to follow my instinct. soooo im extremely excited to finally get into their relationship and explore that. thank you sm for reading and i hope you enjoy!!! i love youuuu