Avalanche ᵇʸˡᵉʳ

Author's Note: For readers 17+. Byler fanfiction written after the release of Vol. 1 Season 5, although it's supposed to take place after the end of Season 4. The only allusions to Season 5 are the fact that the Byers boys are living at the Wheelers' house. It's mostly aligned with the canon, but you'll know what's a glaringly obvious deviation! Title and details subject to change as I continue writing! The fanfic will be available on AO3 once I get invited (praying).
-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-
Despite his absence, his portrait still stared back at Will in perfect detail, completely from memory. He traced a finger over Mike's distinctive and prominent nose, and Will's eyes lingered over the dark ones staring back at him. A shiver ran down his spine as he looked into the portrait. He agonized over the details, over Mike's smattering of freckles along his cheeks, over his angular and sharp face. Over the fainting smile that Will imagined Mike would have.

Will let his face fall into the portrait with a dramatic groan in anguish. He wanted to beat his head into the sketchbook. It was painful to look into his face like this. It was painful to realize how much it had changed once he actually saw him over Spring Break. Mike had somehow managed to evolve even more beautifully over the course of a year; his cheekbones had sharpened, and his eyes had darkened. Will cradled his face with his hands now, rubbing at his eyes to get the image out of his head as he continued to groan in agony.

Maybe he ought to swim instead of paint, he thought to himself. The cool water would distract him from the maddening image of Mike Wheeler. He eventually peeled himself away from the portrait and closed the sketchbook firmly before rising to his feet. He didn't want to think about it anymore.