I had this idea for a oneshot and wanted to publish it for you guys. Double date pt. 3 will be up in the next chapter😽
Italics = past
In which Will was found dead in the Upside Down and Mike revisits places through his lifetime with him.
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Mike's POV
I remember when we first met Will. We were both 5, so young and not properly introduced to the harshness of the real world. It was as if we were trapped in the small perfect world we had created in our heads. No, maybe not trapped, maybe we didn't want to leave. I was all alone, on the first day of kindergarten, everyone had already made friends but I was wandering by myself with a thin book tucked into my armpit filled with pictures of the magical but also cruel characters from Dungeons and Dragons. I noticed you slowly moving forwards and backwards on the swing, your small legs nowhere near touching the patchy grass below you. Looking at the very same swing now, I wonder how you managed to even sit on the ride, never mind successfully swing on it.
I remember walking, almost hesitantly, towards you. I don't think you noticed me. But I'm not sure. When you finally saw me, you gave me a weary look, as if you didn't trust me. I gave you a reassuring smile, before climbing onto the swing next to yours. You eyed me suspiciously and I saw your greenish orbs travel to the book I had with me. You didn't say anything, so I decided to initiate the conversation.
I remember it like it was yesterday.
"Hi," I say, smiling shyly at you.
"Hello." You reply, your mouth refusing to show any emotion you're feeling. In fact, a look surprise envelopes your face, as if you can't believe that I'm talking to you. I wait for you to say something else, slowly rocking on the swing. You're still observing my book. I laugh lightly before handing it over to you.
"Take a look."
Your gentle fingers reach forward and take the green paper-back book out of my hand. I watch as you examine the front and then the back before looking up at me. I nod to you, and you proceed to open it up to the first page. You delicately touch each of the pictures, as if you can feel the rough scales of the dragon beneath your fingers. Or you can feel the electric spark of magic erupting from the wizard's wand.
"I want to draw like this." You whisper, finally allowing a tiny grin to appear on your face. The delight on your face makes me feel so happy, and I don't want the moment to end. I hope this book will always makes you smile.
"Keep it." I say, with a determined look on my face.
"W-what?" You ask, confused.
"Keep it. I want you to have it."
"Really?! Oh wow that's amazing... uh...?"
"Michael. Mike. That's my name." You laugh shaking the hand I hold out.
"Will Byers." You smile, looking back at the book. "Thank you, Mike."
We spent the rest of lunch sitting on the grass whilst I explained to you about D&D. You seemed so intrigued and it made my heart swell. After 20 minutes or so I gathered up the courage to ask you a question that was on my mind the entire time.
