○ In the cabin ○ ~Byler ~

○ Christmas in the Cabin ○

"Smile!" Joyce Byers beamed at her son and his friends, who were lined up against the wall. Her camera snapped a photo quickly, capturing the happiness in everyone's eyes. At that very moment, Jim stumbled in, holding the turkey on a silver plate. "A little help here, El?" He gestured with his head, nodding to the table. She stood confused. "The table cloth. El." The man rolled his eyes and chuckled. "Oh of course," She hopped over and lay the sheet over the table, taking the turkey from him and placing it in the centre. The floor was covered in presents, that were spread around in piles, whilst Christmas songs rang through the walls.

"Okay, so here's the plan," Mike began. Will sat contently by his friends side, admiring the way his hair fell before his beautiful dark eyes. He had lost track of the conversation, all of his attention focused on Mike's hands, that were flailing around in the air as he explained their escape to the movies. "Will?" He snapped out of his trance. "Oh... Yeah sounds good." He had no clue what was happening. "We haven't even said what you're gonna do yet." Max smiled and shook her head, amused. "Oh, sorry, go on." He gestured towards Lucas who had taken over the conversation. "You're gonna distract Hops and Your mom whilst we take the exit from the back, Mike will wait by the door for you so you don't get left behind." Mike winked at Will jokingly, causing the shorter boy to blush furiously. "Okay, first of all. I know I was up to this plan, but after that... I think that it's stupid. Just say you're all going home." Max rolled her eyes at the boys. "Yeah, and what about Will?" Mike asked, pointing towards his friend. "Just ask if he can stay at yours. I don't know," She replied. Mike looked a Will and smiled. "What do you think?" He didn't mind. As long as he was with Mike. "I don't mind, either sounds okay."

"What were you guys talking about?" Eleven finally waltzed over and sat down next to Mike. "Not much El, how's your Christmas Day been?" Max covered for her friends. As soon as she noticed Eleven's attention was somewhere else, she mouthed, "You're welcome," and smiled. The boys hadn't had a movie night in so long, Christmas seemed like a great time to get together for one. Will fiddled with his fingers, avoiding any contact with Eleven or Mike. He just wished that food would speed up. Not necessarily because he was hungry, but because he hated having to sit next to his best friend, and crush since kindergarten, who was being all loved and cuddled by a girl he'd only known for a few years.

It all became to much in the end, El had sat right next to Mike and was trying to get his attention. It didn't seem to be working and the tall boy didn't seem to notice her, but it still hurt Will. "I'm gonna go to the bathroom," Will stood up and walked away quickly from the group. "What's up with him today? I don't think he's ever been like that with us..." Dustin finally spoke up after the few moments of awkward silence. "First he's completely out of it and then..." Realisation hit him. "Oh." He said bluntly. Then, he looked at Lucas and raised his eyebrows. "Oh." Lucas shut his eyes and nodded smugly. "What? What's going on?" Mike asked. "Dumb-ass, your total idiocy and obliviousness blows my mind sometimes," Max laughed at him. "He'll probably get over it." Lucas walked away and grabbed a mug from beside the sink, filling it with water and taking a gulp.

"Does Will always get like that?" Hopper looked at Joyce, concerned. "Sometimes... if anything happens with Mike and El, he gets kinda upset..." she sighed, placing the gravy dish on the table. "He's...  Jealous? Of Mike?" He asked. She shook her head and sighed. "More like, He's jealous of El..." She whispered so nobody heard but Jim. He looked confused for a second, before nodding and smiling. "He should go for it... El doesn't speak about Mike much anymore, not unless he's here, she never seems interested if you know what I mean..."
He sighed and looked at the woman lovingly. "Yeah I get it... and maybe, maybe he should..." She leant up and kissed his cheek before taking the last dish of potatoes and putting them on the cloth.

"Can somebody go and get Will? Or just go and tell him foods ready." Joyce shouted over to the group of teenagers sitting on her carpet. "Mike will do it, won't you Mike?" Dustin raised his eyebrows at the black-haired boy and smirked. "Yeah sure," He stood up and walked towards the bathroom. The clanking of the plates blocked the sound of Will's sobs. "Will? You okay in there?" Mike sounded worried. "Yeah... I-I'm fine Mike, I'll be out soon," He tried to hold the rest of his tears back, wiping his eyes. "You sure?" He placed his hand on the door. "I'm sure Mike, just give me one minute." He replied. "Okay..." Mike let the hand linger on the door before pulling away.

"This is great Mrs Byers," The red-head smiled politely. "Thank you dear," Joyce thanked her. Will crept from the bathroom and picked up a plate. "You okay sweetie?" She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Yeah, I'm okay mom..." He sniffled and tried to smile. "Okay, take a seat," she said as Will walked away with his food. He popped himself down next to Mike, facing Eleven, who had moved over by Max to talk. The girl gave him a death stare. "Shit..." Will mumbled beneath his breath. "You okay?" Mike asked, his finger gently touching the smaller boys hand. "Oh, yeah I'm fine... thanks." He smiled. He watched as Mike turned to face the tv again. Will admired his best friend's face and although he had known for a long time, it hit him. He was in love with him. In love with his best friend, Mike Wheeler.