byler and reddie smut

talk to me - remuspdf

Work Text:
Mike's sexuality has always been something he hadn't ever thought about. I mean, it was obvious he liked girls. For as long as he could remember, it had always been just girls. So he never really had a reason to even consider the possibility he may like boys too.

Even if he did like boys, it wasn't something that he could ever see himself being publicly open with. He wasn't opposed to same-sex relationships. How could he be? After all, his best friend was gay. And he still likes Will all the same. It changes nothing. At least not for him.

For others, outside of Mike's friend group, it's hard for them to accept that people can feel romantic or sexual attraction to their own gender. Any outed homosexuals are usually singled out and ridiculed just because of their preferences. And despite being picked on his whole life, Mike doesn't think he can handle any of that.

So no, he hasn't really taken the time to figure out his own sexuality. He's never had a reason to.

But lately, he just can't help but notice how attractive the men are in the movies his mom watches, or the posters his sister has hung up on the wall. Or how Mike finds broad shoulders more alluring as compared to a small and delicate frame like most girls have.

But what makes him question himself most is how he's entranced by every little thing Will does. He's coated with goosebumps every time Will accidentally brushes against him. How his stomach flips whenever Will says Mike's name while holding his gaze. How he finds his train of thought constantly going to anything related to Will.

Does he like Will like that? He doesn't think so. He isn't even gay. He's dated girls before. Not boys. Plus, Will's his best friend. He couldn't like him like that. If he did, he would just feel guilty about it. Like he's taking advantage of Will just because he knows that he likes boys and Mike's feeling a little confused. He wouldn't want to play with Will's feelings like that just because he's lost.

Mike thinks that he's just attracted to the idea of something different. When he was with El, he never felt the thrill he did when he hung out with Will. Maybe Mike really did like him, who knows? Everything's so new to him.

—

Mike and Will had been hanging out a lot more than they had been. After El broke up with Mike, he realized just how much he had neglected their friendship. Mike apologized profusely, and Will forgave him. Now they're inseparable.

One afternoon while hanging out in Will's room, Mike decides to pursue the answers to the dwelling questions that have been nagging at him ever since he first started to notice people who weren't girls.

"Will?" Mike asks, solemnly.

"Yeah?" Will turns his head to look at Mike, who is sitting next to him on the bed. Will has been reading an old copy of one of their favorite comic books: something from the Spider-Man series.

"How... How did you know that you were..." Mike trailed off, the word 'gay' feeling taboo and insincere. "...How'd you know you liked boys?" He finishes.

"Oh. Uh well, it was just something that I've always kind of known, you know? Like I couldn't really see myself wanting to date a girl," Will answers plainly.

"Oh."

Although Will had technically answered Mike's question, he was hoping for something a little more. Something that would give him any sign of the clarification he needed to describe how he felt.

"Why?"

"I..," Mike starts, unsure of himself. "I really don't know. I guess I was just wondering."

They fall back into a comfortable silence. Mike is lost deep in thought for a moment before he asks, "But like how did you know know?" he asks, pushing the subject further.