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𝕡𝕒𝕣𝕥 𝟚𝟙-𝕝𝕦𝕟𝕔𝕙 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕞𝕪

"Get over yourself! He's a good guy, Rich!" Bill exclaimed. 

"I don't give a fuck," Richie snapped, "I'm not eating lunch with him." 

"Richie, please just give him a chance, I set this up so you two could resolve whatever issues you have," Bill sighed. 

"You can't make me," Richie scowled. 

"Are we going now?" A deep voice came from behind Richie. Richie rolled his head and turned around, coming face to face with Mike Wheeler. 

"How did you agree to this? I hate you and you hate me," Richie scoffed. 

"Trust me, I'm not looking forward to it," Mike said. 

Richie groaned and pouted. "Ugh fine, lets just get it over with." 

Mike nodded and walked out of Eddie's hospital room, leading Richie to his car. 

_ 

"I hate you," Richie growled, eyeing Mike from across the table. 

"I know, I know," Mike laughed loudly, watching as the strawberry milkshake continued to drip down from Richie's curls. "To be fair, though, you got me pretty good," Mike grinned, gesturing to the fries In his hair and ketchup on his shirt. 

Richie laughed, nodding. "My beautiful locks are soaked," Richie complained playfully, shaking his head, causing drops of milkshake to spray everywhere. 

"Well it's your fault for starting a food fight in the middle of a diner." 

Richie chuckled again, taking a few napkins and scrubbing his hair, trying to dry off. Mike then bit his lip nervously, as if debating whether to say something. "Hey uh, man?" Mike asked slowly. 

"Yeah?" Richie asked, taking a bite of his burger. 

"I'm sorry about Eddie," Mike began, paused, and then continued, "I know how much you love him." 

Richie swallowed what he was chewing and smiled sweetly. "That means a lot, and yeah, I love him more than anything."

"U-uh, I don't judge you two, by the way, for being together," Mike said. 

"I know you don't. You're chill, I know you're not a homophobic rat."

"U-uh yeah, I actually am bi, too," Mike confessed, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. 

"Oh nice." 

"Y-yeah uh, can I tell you something?" 

"Go ahead."

"I like a boy," Mike said. 

"Aren't you dating El?" 

"We broke up like two days ago," Mike said, no emotion in his voice. 

"Oh, I'm sorry man." 

"Don't be, like I said, I like a boy." 

"Do you mind me asking who?" 

"Uh, you don't know him. Will? Will Byers?" Mike said slowly. 

"Never heard of him, is he gay?" 

"I dunno," Mike sighed, "We kissed once about a month ago and he's been avoiding me ever since." 

"Damn, that sucks." 

Mike shrugged, "Anyways, do you want to get going?" 

"Uh yeah sure." 

_

As Mike drove, Richie hummed along to the radio, the trees whizzing by as they drove. 

"Hey, we're going pretty fast, no?" Richie turned to look at Mike.