The other Mayfield (Will Byers X Reader)

002. Dustin's return

~Y/n POV~

Max and I woke up extra early this morning, buzzing with excitement. Today was the day Dustin came back from camp, and we had been planning this little surprise for weeks. I was going to ride over to Will's first, Max was heading to Lucas's, and then we'd all meet at Dustin's. My stomach fluttered with anticipation—not just for Dustin, but because I knew seeing Will's face first thing in the morning would make my day.

I knocked on the Byers' door, and Joyce appeared almost immediately, her hair still slightly messy from sleep.

"Oh, hey Y/N! Come in," she said warmly, stepping aside. The smell of coffee and toast filled the kitchen, making it feel cozy and familiar. I walked over to the table where Will was sitting, his hair still tousled from just waking up, and crept up behind him, trying to hide my grin.

"BOO!!" I yelled.

Will jerked upright, letting out a startled gasp, before quickly turning around and exhaling sharply. He pressed a hand to his chest like he needed to steady himself, eyes wide with the remnants of fear.

"Don't scare me like that," he muttered, voice low and breathy, running a hand nervously through his hair. There was that familiar awkwardness in his movements—the kind that made him so... Will.

"Well, where's the fun in that?" I teased, leaning against the chair next to him, unable to hide my grin.

Will gave a small, almost shy laugh, shaking his head. "You're terrible," he said quietly, his voice soft, almost like he was scolding me without really meaning it. Then he glanced at me, a flicker of amusement lighting his eyes, and I could tell he was trying not to smile too big.

I pulled out a chair and sat down, pouring myself a bowl of cereal. The sound of the milk splashing into the bowl seemed unnaturally loud in the quiet kitchen, and I noticed Will's eyes following me, his gaze hesitant but warm. I felt a little thrill at the small, easy intimacy between us—the quiet moments where we didn't need to be loud or dramatic to feel connected.

He picked up his spoon, still a little jumpy, and took a bite of cereal, glancing at me from the corner of his eye. "You know," he murmured after a moment, "I'm going to get you back for that later."

I laughed softly. "Yeah? I'm waiting."

Then Jonathan came rushing out of his room, a faint smudge of lipstick on his cheek. That was how I knew Nancy had stayed the night, and the thought made me giggle quietly.

Joyce got up from the table and hurried over to him, trying to wipe the mark off.

"Hey, hey, hey, wait up," she called.

"Oh no, I'll eat at work, I'm late," Jonathan protested.

"No, your cheek," Joyce corrected, swatting gently at him.

"All right, all right, I gotta run. See you later," Jonathan said, hurrying off.

"All right," Joyce replied, returning to the table. I was still giggling quietly.

"Ugh, gross," Will muttered, scrunching up his nose.

"You don't think it's gross when you and Y/N kiss?" Joyce teased.

"Yeah, that's because she's my girlfriend," he said, voice low but firm, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

"Aww, is little Will afraid I'll get germs on him?" I teased softly.

I'm not scared," he murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Me and Joyce laughed while Will just shook his head while eating cereal. Joyces laugh faded to a stop.