HOW TO STOP LIKING BOYS ━ Stranger Things ✓

SIX: THE (OUT)SIDERS

SIX: THE (OUT)SIDERS

TRICK OR TREATING WENT WORSE THAN DANIEL EXPECTED. The boy had dressed up as Ponyboy Curtis (Mike had personally loved the slicked back hair, but Daniel missed his curls) and he was expecting to have a night of fun with his friends. Instead, Max showed up and unknowingly took the attention of Dustin and Lucas and poor Will suffered through one of his episodes again.

Mike, Will, and Daniel were on their way back to Mike's house, Daniel having reluctantly left Dustin and Lucas even though they were a little preoccupied with Max. Mike had one hand on Will's shoulders and one holding Daniel's while the curly-haired boy held their bags of candy. They got back to Mike's house and the Wheeler boy sat Will down on the basement couch after letting go of Daniel.

"Hey," Daniel got his boyfriend's attention, "I'm gonna go upstairs and call my mom if that's okay. I think you're uh a bit better suited to handle this."

Mike looked sad for a moment, asking, "You sure?"

"You can stay," Will spoke softly from the couch, "We're friends too, ya know."

Daniel laughed at that, "Yeah, I know, I just don't know how much of a help I'll be. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"You're absolutely sure?" Mike asked again, facing his boyfriend with the same sad expression on his face.

With a reassuring chuckle, Daniel insisted, "Yes! I'm sure."

Kissing Mike softly on the lips, he ruffled his dark hair before saying goodbye to both him and Will before trotting up the stairs. Part of him wanted to stay, just to make sure Will was okay, but he knew Mike and Will were a million times closer than Will would ever be with Daniel. He was okay with that, he knew when he wasn't needed at the moment. He happened to not be needed at this moment and he was all right with that.

Karen Wheeler looked rightfully surprised to see him, "Oh, I thought you boys would be back later? Are ya gonna call your mom?"

Daniel nodded, "Uh, yeah it's just Mike, Will, and I. Thanks for letting me use your phone."

The woman ruffled his curls softly, "No problem, bud." Daniel sometimes had a sickly feeling she knew what was really going on between Mike and him, but then again, there was no way she could really know for sure. Even if she had, she never quite let on that she knew. Sometimes she would gaze a little longer at the two boys or smile a bit more lovingly at Daniel, but that wasn't enough evidence. Daniel knew he needed to worry less, Mike and his sister both told him that all the time. Truth be told, he didn't know how.