Chapter Text
“Will- let me get that for you-”
“I've got it,” Will mumbles, eyes slightly lidded, lifting his suitcase out of their rusty trunk. Mike's trunk, technically, but after sixteen hours with all four of them squished into Ted's old Ford Mustang, Will wanted to consider it a communal car.
A car door slams beside them before the bickering starts up again, the same way it has for the last hour or two.
“Get off of me,” Lucas groans, shoving Dustin roughly. “You smell like a skunk died and you rolled around in it or something."
"Great simile, Lucas. Really great." Dustin slumps against Lucas' side again, his boots looking a bit ridiculous against the cracked pavement beneath him.
"You smell like shit. Is that better?"
“Excuse me? We've been marinating in Mike's dirty car-"
"Hey!"
"- for half a day. Give me a break, I'm dying here-” Dustin stumbles, wiping the back of his hand against his damp forehead. Lucas' nose scrunches in disgust.
"You're so gross."
"I'm dehydrated!"
"Be dehydrated away from me. Like- six feet at least."
“Will,” Mike cuts in softly, his palm sliding down Will's forearm, breath hot against the curve of Will's ear. His fingers press into the backs of Will's own, squeezing. Will could almost hear his pulse from how close he seemed to lean in. “I just mean- it's heavy, right?”
“It's a suitcase, not a refrigerator.”
( I was going to say something along the lines of lifting weights or some bs BUT my dear Jena came up with the refrigerator comparison and I'm adding it for her because she deserves the credit. Also, fuck ai and anyone who uses ai should die. I know thats mean but I'm so for real. I'll try not to fourth wall break so I don't ruin the immersion DON'T LASH ME but I had to do it at least once. Let me have this. I even put this in parentheses this time, instead of just dropping it. Please. Don't lash me on twitter I'm not even there to defend myself this time 😭)
Mike seems to wilt ever so slightly, his eyebrows turning up into a little furrow, calloused finger pads scratching along the sensitive inside of Will's wrist. "Aren't you still sleepy?"
"A bit, but it's not that serious. You don't have to, really," Will whispers, a little laugh stuck at the back of his throat. "I can carry my own bag."
“Come on, Will.” His freckles move with the motion, dark against creamy skin. His glasses have slid down his nose, ever so slightly. “Just let me.” Will feels his throat bob against his control, fingers relaxing. Mike's own tighten, pulling the handle away from Will's grip and closer to his body. “Thank you.”
“Are you going to carry mine, too?”
“Ask Lucas,” Mike shuts down quickly, hauling his backpack over one shoulder and lifting Will's suitcase in his other hand. His jaw held a slight shadow of stubble from having not shaved that morning, the space above his upper lip looking soft despite the strands growing there.
If Mike neglected his razor for a few days, it would probably get darker and darker, a bit more full. Contrasting his pale skin and his dark red lips, plump on the bottom and a bit damp from where Mike's tongue keeps darting out, his mouth parted as he adjusts the weight of Will's luggage, his body slumped a bit to the side. It softens him a bit, takes away from the drastic sharpness of his cheekbones, and the long slope of his nose.
"What?" Mike murmurs, low and just for Will to hear. His eyes try holding contact, but Will feels his own drift away.
"Nothing. Sorry."
Will wonders if it would scratch against his fingers. He's never seen Mike unshaved before, but it makes him look handsome. Somehow more handsome than he usually is. It has to be the shadow effect, Will reasons with himself. Shadows tended to make objects seem darker and more intimidating. Broad, and a bit bigger than normal. Strong, even.
Will feels ever so slightly lightheaded.
“Lukey-poo?”
“Shut up, Dustin.” Lucas rests a hand on Will's shoulder, leaning over the curve of his back to grab his own bag with his other. He grips the strap and tugs it free in one swift motion. “Your voice is so annoying.’
“Yeah? You weren't saying that a few hours ago-” Dustin wiggles his eyebrows, shirt soaked around the collar, his curls half flattened to his head and half fuzzed.
"Don't start."
"I'm just saying, you didn't seem to mind my voice when we were singing Out of Touch together as friends who care about each other's well-being-"
"I'm not doing it."
“If you make me lug that all inside, I think I might actually die, and I'm not joking. Just help me."
“No way. You were the one who decided to pack ten pairs of khakis and like, fifty pairs of winter socks. Don't go whining to me-”
“I'm not whining! Will, back me up here-”
“Leave Will out of it,” Mike huffs, before sidestepping them and heading up the driveway. A cat comes up to him, and Mike pauses to let it crawl up his leg. Will can see him wince, inhaling sharply through his mouth as little claws dig into his jeans for leverage. The little animal looked so small compared to him, covered in brown fur with little spots, tail flicking against Mike's thigh. They were perched against his hip, and Will would have bet money that they were purring. "Why are there so many cats?"
"Don't ask," Dustin grumbles. "And don't get so defensive, I need Will to settle this."
"No, you don't."
"I agree to letting Will judge," Lucas shrugs, dropping his chin on the top of Will's head. "He's not as biased."
"First off," Mike rolls his eyes, "that's a lie. And second, I mean it. Leave Will out of it. We need to unpack, anyways. Right?"
"Right," Will agrees quickly, and Lucas takes a step back.
Ms. Henderson was nice enough to let them all stay for two months, her house having been 'too empty' with Dustin gone. She was just as sweet as she's always been, ever since childhood.
Will's gotten used to her calling their dorm, his and Dustin's, at exactly eight every night. She would call until one of them picked up and stay on the phone until at least nine thirty, but never later. Then, Will got to call home at ten, speak to his mother, his sister, and Hopper sometimes if the man was home, all before calling his brother on a separate line. Despite the hours he's spent speaking to her, he also has no idea why Ms. Henderson seems to have gone on an adoption spree recently.
“No! Not right! Will's the only one of you who cares about my back! I have medical issues and you all know I've been having back problems-”
“That's because you spend all day hunched over at the lab. Mike's back is worse, and he's fine carrying his own bag-”
“Hey!”
"It's a compliment, if you'd let me finish-"
“I can do it,” Will pipes up, watching the way Dustin fans himself with one hand, his face pink from the heat. “I don't mind. You should get some water, you could really use it-”
Will doesn't get to finish his sentence before two hands grip the front of his shirt, shaking him around back and forth, Dustin's sweaty forehead pressing against his shoulder. Will shudders in disgust, but raises a hand to pat Dustin’s back gently. “Oh, William. My sweet, sweet William. This is why I love you. You're the only person who cares about me.”
"Dustin," Mike sighs, tucking his bag under one arm so he could scoop up the kitten demanding his attention. "You're dripping, get off of him."
"If I died tomorrow none of you would mourn me and this is proof."
Will snorts, trying not to pull away when he feels sweat soak into his clothes. “I think you're overreacting. You should take a shower, though. It might… entice more people to show up to your funeral."
“Oho? Are you calling me dirty, Will the Wise?”
“If the harp fits,” Will teases back, his voice rising high and pompous. "Your fragrance is too potent for the common nose."
"Gasp!"
"Dude," Lucas sighs, "don't say the word gasp out loud. Just gasp like a normal person."
“Enough,” Mike huffs, cutting in. “Can we just get inside already? With the AC?”
Dustin tosses his arms around Will for a hug, squeezing sharply. "I don't know…"
"You've been hanging off of him for the last five minutes."
"So?"
"So, let him breathe. If it's so hot out here, then go inside where it's not." Dustin snickers before letting go and stepping back, both of his hands raised in the sir nonthreateningly. "What are you doing?"
"Making sure you don't bite," Dustin quips, slowly advancing towards Mike. Mike shuffles in place, trying not to drop the bag held in place against his elbow and his side, the kitten nuzzling against his fingers. His hand dwarfs them, almost. Large, freckled, and with a paler strip of skin around the curve of each finger from the rings he had tossed in his bag, probably sunk to the bottom. If Will focused, he could see the veins in the back of Mike's hands. He could see the twitch in his knuckles, the way fur contrasted against his cuticles, the line of his forearm, bare. Mike was in a t-shirt for once, not a sweater. A t-shirt that showed more arms than Will's seen in over a year.
Dustin plants his hands against Mike's back, pushing him to the door, ignoring the grumbling.
"Let me put her down first-"
"How do you know she's a her?"
“Scooch,” Lucas huffs, nudging Will to the side so he could grab Dustin’s three bags and rolling suitcase. He loops the straps around the tall metal handle, catching it before it could tip over.
“I really don't mind,” Will murmurs, crossing his arms over his chest and rocking back on his heels. Crickets chirp distantly, a nice night breeze brushing against the small of Will's back.
“Nah, he's just a big wimp.” Lucas hauls his own bag over his shoulder before nodding to the front door, where Mike was elbowing Dustin while Dustin fumbled with his keys. “They've gotten too used to winter in New York that they forgot how bad summer is.”
Will shrugs, stepping ahead and keeping his pace slow so Lucas can roll their luggage behind them. “I guess. I don't know- I just don't want you stuck doing all the work again. You're not some- some pack mule. I feel bad, that's all.”
“You feel bad?"
"A bit, yeah."
"So I can't be stuck doing everything but Mike can? Does this mean you like me more?”
"I'm not answering that."
"No, you looked at both of us and thought Mike deserved to suffer. Fess up, you're on trial here."
Will snickers under his breath a bit meanly, a hand raising to cover it. Lucas grins at the sound, leaning in and wiggling his brows, and Will breaks out into breathy laughter. “I’m not giving into your bait, so don't bother.”
“That's not a no. Silence speaks volumes, according to my lawyers.”
“Mmmm,” Will tongues the inside of his cheek, watching as Mike hip checks Dustin out of his way and squeezes through the door before him. “No comment.”
“No comment? Come on, you have to give me something here.”
“No comment. I plead the fifth, Luke. I know my rights.”
“Oh yeah? Name each Miranda Right. No- name at least two.”
Will opens his mouth for a second, thinking, before he slowly shuts it and shrugs a single shoulder, sidestepping a little orange cat curling around his ankles and speeding his steps up and leaving Lucas behind.
“Hey-! What happened to me not doing the brunt of the work?”
Will pauses for a second before turning around, both of his hands on the doorframe and his head peeking out from around the corner, watching Lucas drag the heavy luggage up Dustin’s ruined driveway.
“I’m thirsty, and you're slow."
"I'm thirsty too, why does being slow mean I'm getting punished? Blame Dustin for his shit packing skills-"
"Do you want ice in your water?”
Lucas pauses for a second before slumping, rolling his eyes even though he's not actually annoyed. “....Yeah. Please.”
"Got it. Oh- and make sure you close the trunk after you grab the rest."
"Yeah, whatever," Lucas grumbles.
"Thank you," Will adds, his voice turning sweet.
Lucas waves him off with one hand. "Yeah, yeah. Get inside. Oh- and get me a straw?"
___________________________________
"Should we just head to bed?"
There's a wet sound as Dustin yawns, his jaw popping from the motion. He slumps further into the carpet, his shirtless back sticking to the fibers, one arm flung over his face, his socks strewn across his desk.
"No," Mike huffs, his head leaned back against the wall, the long line of his neck exposed, glasses pushed up into his hair. He doesn't open his eyes as he speaks, which gives Will the opportunity to look at him for just a second longer. Mike's knees are bent and his legs spread, hair crawling up his calves. His stupid A-Team t-shirt is rucked up at the back, giving a glimpse of the line of his boxers from under his shorts; baby blue with tiny little hearts on the hem. Mike shifts, sweat visible on his inner thighs. Will's eyes flick to the floor quickly. "It's your fault we're stuck like this."
"How was I supposed to know the AC was broken?"
"Not just broken," Lucas' teeth crunch down on a chunk of ice. "How is your heater permanently stuck? We were probably better off just asking my parents to stay."
"I can fix it tomorrow- and we all already agreed we would stay at mine, why are we arguing again?"
"I'm not arguing, I'm just pointing it out." Another crunch, and Dustin's eye twitches.
"Yeah, real helpful. I'm just saying, if we sleep it off then we can deal with tomorrow faster and I can see what's wrong with it."
"The girls are getting here soon, and I want to say hi to El."
"You said that like an hour ago. I'm exhausted, and I'm hot. I'm calling it a night." Dustin rolls over to glare at Mike, his body starfished on the floor.
"No, you're not. We all agreed to wait for them, so we're waiting. End of discussion."
"Uh, no? Not end of discussion. Who made you captain?"
"I was the only one driving!" Mike snaps, his voice a bit mean. "If it wasn't for me, none of us would've even gotten here-"
"We all offered," Lucas sighs, passing his half eaten chocolate bar to Will, wiping the melted chunks off onto Dustin's bedroom carpet. Will doesn't comment, and downs the rest of it. A bit of peanut gets stuck behind his teeth. "You threw a fit when I asked to take over, and you made us stop at a gas station so you could take a power nap, like, halfway in."
"Do you really want to start right now?"
"Maybe," Lucas sniffs, leaning back on his hands.
"Okay, let's not-" Dustin starts, but Will waves at him to be quiet, eyes flicking back and forth, invested.
"Fine! At least I didn't beg the kind and overly considerate driver to pull over because I felt carsick after reading Matilda for three hours straight-"
"Wow, you guys are losers," Max huffs, her body half leaning into the open window, pulling herself up. "Matilda? Really?"
"Max," Lucas breathes, grinning, dimples visible.
"Me," she agrees. "What was that about you reading a children's book?"
"The story is good-"
Will pushes up, a black cat nuzzling against his calves and winding around his ankles. He takes a careful step sideways not to step on their tail, reaching out a hand for her to grab. Max takes it, letting Will haul her inside even as she rolls her eyes hard enough that her head moves with it. "How was the drive?"
"Thanks. It was okay, I'm just glad I wasn't stuck with you idiots. Not you, Will." She crouches down to pet the cat under their chin, tugging her sneakers off with her free hand.
"It's fine, I wouldn't have been very fun anyway, I slept pretty much the whole time."
"Yeah, and you hogged the music even when you were passed out." Dustin rolls over onto his stomach, pushing up on his elbows to give Max a grin. "Hey. It was awful, I tried changing the station but Mike slapped my hands and went 'Will likes Pete Burns', even though he was asleep and couldn't even enjoy it-"
"You don't like Dead or Alive?" Will cuts in, frowning.
"…I didn't say that exactly," Dustin murmurs, sinking back into the carpet.
"Which song was it?" Will prods, eyebrows furrowed.
"You Spin Me Round," Mike answers for him, clicking his tongue and shaking his head back and forth. "He tried changing it twice, Will. Can you believe that?"
"Oh shut up, Mike, don't give me the disappointed dad voice-"
Will steps over Dustin's arm and plops down onto the ground next to Mike, tugging his legs to his chest and wrapping his arms around them. "I can't believe you don't like Pete Burns. How come you never said anything?"
"I never said I don't like him-"
"You're lying," Will mumbles, gnawing on his bottom lip. "Why would you let me play his music if you didn't like it?"
"He's a coward, that's why," Max chimes in, both of her hands burrowed into puffy fur. "What's with all the cats?"
"My mom got lonely, okay?! It's hard without me here to keep her company, and she needs emotional support-"
Will tunes him out, twisting his fingers into the hem of his sleep shorts. Mike knocks their knees together despite the heat, sighing long and slow. "You okay?"
"Yeah."
"You sure?" Mike lowers his voice, eyes scanning his face, attentive. Will resists the urge to squirm.
"Yeah, I'm sure. Just- guilty, I suppose. I really didn't know he had an issue."
"I know. Aren't you glad I defended your honor, though?" Mike's knee presses back against his, insistent, leaning in closer. Will could almost taste the mint on his breath with every exhale. He's sure if he looked, he would find a handful of empty gum wrappers shoved under the driver's seat of Mike's car. Something to keep him awake, surely. Mike's tongue darts out, grazing his upper lip. "Or is the DND banter only for Dustin today?"
"I-…" Will trails off, his throat working through a swallow. Mike's head tilts, and Will wonders if he's going to shave tomorrow. It might be good if he does, so Will could keep his eyes in check.
"Yeah? You what?"
"I guess," Will mumbles.
"You guess what?" Mike prods, always so stubborn. Will's fingers dig into his calves, hands dragging up and down in a self soothing and minorly self controlling fashion. "Come on, give me something here. You've been asleep all day- I'm deprived."
"I guess," he repeats, already forgetting what they'd been talking about. Mike's lips twitch up, his grin slanted and sideways. His teeth were crooked and peeking out from the line of his mouth, a bit sharp. White against red lips. Maroon, even. Will could mix that shade on a palette. If he reached out and touched, he could probably try to recreate the texture somehow. He wonders if they're soft like acrylic or rough and chapped like chalk.
"Where's Jane?" He asks Max, just to change the topic. Mike nudges him again, but Will pointedly keeps his gaze away.
"She couldn't come." Max flops down onto Dustin's bed, her legs dropping onto Lucas' lap. "She got into a fight with Hopper, I guess."
"Again?"
"Yep. She's sick of school and she just wants to travel. I think it's a good idea, but I guess he got pretty upset."
"Is traveling a good idea? I mean, what if someone tries finding her?"
"And you think Hawkins is better?" Lucas rolls his eyes, and Dustin flips him off.
"Uh, yeah? Who would think to look for superpowers in Indiana?"
"Please tell me you're joking. Did the earth splitting open a few years ago just slip your mind or something?"
"Yeah, it sounded stupid right after I said it," Dustin grumbles.
Lucas passes his glass of water over and Max downs the last few mouthfuls before placing the empty glass onto the nightstand. "At least you have some common sense here."
"You two are both idiots. She can do whatever she wants to, no matter what anyone thinks, because she's- you know- a person with free will? The main issue here is Hopper. He's giving her a curfew and everything."
"A curfew? Really? For a twenty year old?" Dustin huffs, frustrated. "What about summer plans?"
"Come on, it's not like she's going to follow it anyway," Mike grumbles. Max chucks a pillow at him, and Will ducks so it could hit Mike in the side of the head. "Ow! What? We all know she's going to be sneaking out the second he goes to sleep."
"That didn't even hurt," Max throws another, and Mike catches it in the air before stuffing it behind his back, his spine curved.
"That's not the point, it's the principal of it-"
"No one cares about your principals," Dustin snickers. "Maybe we could convince Jane to stay in school, that way Hopper won't be so upset. She could always travel later in life."
"Should we, though?"
Everyone pauses to look at Will as he speaks, and he finds himself shrink down, throat tight at the attention. Lucas raises an eyebrow, and Will forces himself to take a deep breath.
"I just mean- Jane's always been just like- stuck places? Maybe she should be seeing more of the world, instead of just Lenora. And besides, school's really expensive, especially if she goes to whatever college Hop wants to pick out for her."
Mike nods, his foot turning to press against Will's, their socks sparking and sending a small jolt of electricity up Will's spine. "Yeah. Will's right."
"Stop playing favorites. Education is important! once you open up that curiosity door-"
"Anything is possible, yeah yeah, we know. This isn't me playing favorites, this is me thinking we should all stop talking about El behind her back."
Dustin looks away, guilty.
"Oh please," Max rolls her eyes. "As if you're one to talk."
"Aren't we on the same side right now?"
"Yeah, but you're annoying with it."
"Annoying-?!" Mike starts, placing a hand against the floor to push himself up.
"Can we get back to summer plans?" Lucas cuts in, his hand gripping Max's calf to keep her down. "I feel like there's nothing to really explore here. There's a bowling alley that just opened up, but it's about an hour away."
"Do any of us even know how to bowl?"
"I'm pretty good at it," Max shrugs a shoulder. "I'd leave you all in the dust."
"I bet a dollar you don't get one-"
"I might be a bit busy- I'm actually thinking of getting a job," Will pipes up, and Mike's head snaps in his direction so quickly that Will can hear it crack.
"What?"
"I'm… thinking of getting a job?" Will repeats, a little quieter.
"Why?"
Mike's eyebrows furrow again, dark and thin, curving up his forehead. Will's sure that in at least a month there space there is going to be pale compared to burned skin, from how often his face twists. It happened last year, and the year before that, and Will wishes he could stick Mike directly under the sun just to get a quick taste of it.
"Why what?" He answers, like an idiot.
"Why are you thinking about a job?"
"For money-? I don't know. Jon thinks it's easier to work extra hard over the summer instead of trying to work while you're in classes."
Mike's teeth gnaws on his lower lip, sharp and white. Will needs to get a hold of himself.
"I don't get it. What do you even need a job for?"
"Uh- dollar bills? To pay for things?"
"That's stupid," Mike denies, huffing. He waves a hand in Will's direction, as if batting the conversation away. "You're not getting one."
"Excuse me?"
"Oh boy," Lucas mumbles.
"You're not wasting your summer serving ice cream to people, Will. Just use my card-"
"Your dad's card," Max adds, and Mike shoots her a glare.
"Same thing. Come on, Will," Mike turns to him again, his head tilting down so he can look up through his lashes. Dark, heavy lashes that stick straight out like a Venus fly trap. Will wonders if they got the name from the planet of love solely so Will could appreciate this view, stubble against a sharp jaw, eyes shadowed like onyx, freckles mixing in with sweat.
Will wants to lick it clean, even though it's gross. He wants to kiss him, even though that's worse.
"Ignore him," Max groans, cracking her knuckles. Usually Will would shudder at the sound and the thought of air getting between bones, but Mike's pinkie was scratching along the ankle of Will's sock, dipping under the fabric to tug, pulling his foot closer. "I was thinking of getting one too, I was going to apply at the library but they're not hiring."
"The library?" Dustin snorts, clearly trying not to laugh at her.
"It's quiet and I can have my headphones on while checking people out. I don't need to have customer service, or whatever."
"You have good customer service," Lucas murmurs, reaching over her for his glass before realizing it's empty. "You'd be a great employee anywhere."
"Stop sucking up," Max kicks at him and Lucas yelps. "We should all get jobs."
"No way," Dustin denies. "Not happening here."
"Not happening for Will, either," Mike adds, his fingers looping around Will's ankle. "Why are we talking about this in the first place?"
"You're so controlling," Max scoffs. "News flash, not everyone cares what you have to say."
"That doesn't matter! This is about Will-"
"And what does Will have to say?" Lucas prompts, resting his chin on a fist, his elbow settled on Max's calf.
Will swallows, glancing around the room to find all eyes on him. "I… I think it could be fun. Plus, I'll need to start paying off my student loans, and thinking about home ownership, and paying taxes, or grocery costs or- or-…" Will trails off, overwhelmed.
"We could all just live together," Dustin suggests. "Like in one big apartment."
"You snore, so no," Lucas shuts down quickly. "I get dibs on Will next semester, you already got him last time and I got stuck with Mike-"
"What do you mean stuck with me-?!"
"That's not fair! Me and Will are a good pair-"
"It's Will and I-"
"Shut up, Mike-"
"All of you shut up," Max huffs, forcing herself up. "I'm heading back before Hopper realizes I'm gone."
"I'll drive you," Lucas offers, going to stand.
"With what car?"
Lucas shoots Mike a glare. "I'll walk you."
"Chivalrous, but no thanks. I'll see you losers tomorrow- don't melt."
"Why are you saying that like we have a choice?" Mike grumbles. Will bats Max's hand away when it goes to ruffle his hair.
"Bye. Stay safe."
"Not everyone gets kidnapped at night," Max teases as she swings a leg over the window frame. "See you losers."
"At least go out through the front door-" Dustin protests, but Max ignores him and hops back outside, her feet landing onto the ground with a soft thud. Dustin sinks back into the carpet in defeat, sweat clinging to his back. "Nevermind, then."
"Do you think she'll get home okay?" Lucas worries, slouching back against Dustin's bedframe. He crossed his arms behind his head like a pillow, his temples wet. Will watches as a drop runs down his skin, catching on the line of Lucas' jaw before it hits his shirt.
"Forget that," Dustin huffs. "This summer is going to suck, just like every other one."
"Stop being dramatic." Mike deadpans. Will nods in agreement, even though hes a bit distracted by the way Lucas' back cracks as he stretches his legs out for a moment. He cringes at the sound, looking back to Dustin as he stands.
"I'm not being dramatic, I'm being honest, something you wouldn't know about." Mike rolls his eyes, but Dustin ignores him, pacing a circle in the center of the room. "This happens every summer!"
"What does?"
"Every year we say we're going to hang out, and we make some plans we never stick to, and it sucks! Everyone's going to split off into their own little groups and I'm going to be stuck alone because Steve is in Iowa!"
"Iowa? Why would anyone go to Iowa?" Lucas' eyebrows furrow in confusion.
"He got fired from that one car dealership he was working at so now he's a traveling vacuum salesman- it's actually pretty cool."
"Huh. Never would've thought that. I didn't even know that was a job that people actually do." Lucas nods to himself, decently impressed.
"Yeah! And there's a high demand for vaccums because of how frequent the sandstorms are- the sand is so small it gets under door frames, so Steve could really make it big here."
"Why don't they install a rubber catcher under the doors to- nevermind." Mike shakes his head, a hand waving in the air dismissively. "Whatever. I don't care. We don't split off every summer, anyways, so."
"Don't lie to me, Michael Wheeler."
"You know, somehow it's not intimidating when you're the one saying it." Mike shrugs a single shoulder, unbothered.
"But- whatever! That's not my point here! My point is that every summer Lucas and Max pair off and you and Jane pair off and I'm stuck all by myself!"
"What about me?" Will scrunches his nose, his stomach curdling unpleasantly. It felt too much like being thirteen for just a moment. Dustin may have had Steve each time, but Will could have really used Dustin back then, too.
"Well- you- you know." Dustin gestures vaguely to Mike, who shifts awkwardly.
"I don't," Will frowns. "What am I supposed to know? You said everyone but me."
"Just- you know! You know- you and Mike are kind of a pair, too. And so are Max and Jane- like- best friends."
"Does that mean I'm not your best friend now?" Lucas' voice is teasing, and Will feels himself relax a little at it.
"Obviously. My best friend is Will."
"But Will's mine," Mike snickers, leaning in a bit. "How is Will your best friend if you just said Will was mine? Your story is falling apart here."
"Yeah, Dusty Bun," Lucas adds. "I'm seeing some holes in your theories- what would your lab friends say? 'Oh Dustin, your mathematical prowice has been fading-'"
"Enough!" Dustin snaps, his feet paused, face red. "You guys suck. Has anyone ever told you that?"
"Mmm, can't say they have…" Lucas trails off, and Dustin sighs before shoving him to the side so they could squeeze on his bed together, hip to hip. "Dude-"
"Shut it, it's my bed." Lucas rolls his eyes but doesn't push him off. "I'm just saying, I don't want to waste this summer. I want to actually do things for once, instead of just sitting in my room or dealing with life or death bullshit. I mean, last summer we were stuck with the government and figuring out NDA's before we left for college, I just-" Dustin sighs, his body slumping. "I don't know. I just want one good summer."
"We could go to the pool before it gets crowded?" Mike rolls his eyes, but Lucas continues. "We should go early so we can grab chairs, I can pack lunch if someone else packs snacks."
"I can," Will offers, and Lucas nods.
"See? We could all just enjoy the morning, and then after we can figure out plans. Like, schedules and everything."
"No splitting up?" Dustin asks, eyes narrowed at Lucas in suspicion.
"Yeah, yeah. No splitting up. And if we do, we'll all fight over who gets to pair with you, Dusty Bun-"
"Let it go- that was years ago-"
"Awwww, but Dusty- don't you love me?"
"You're not funny."
"Will thinks I am!"
Dustin snaps his head over to look, and Will raises a hand quickly to cover his mouth, fingers pressing against his teeth. Dustin's eyes narrow and Will snorts sharply, unable to hold it back. "Will! You're supposed to be on my side-"
"No one's on your side, Dustin." Mike's fingers squeeze against his ankle, thumb dragging up and down. "Or should I say Dusty?"
"Oh my god, give it a rest-"
___________________________________
Will's nose twitches, and he rubs the back of his knuckles roughly against the skin.
Every inhale smelled like cat and whatever rode perfume that Ms. Henderson had sprayed into the blanket beneath him. It was too hot to get under, the open window not giving Will any sort of breeze. The crickets were loud enough that he could focus on them and not Mike's shuffling, so Will didn't have it in him to close it.
They'd gotten the guest room to share, Will on the bed and Mike on the floor. Will offered to take the floor, but Mike just shot him a look and pulled a pillow onto the ground, so Will didn't bother arguing. He's glad, though. He knows if he tried sleeping on tile he would have complained the entire night.
He's not exactly sure why Ms. Henderson chose tile floors. Purple tile, which clashed with the green floral wallpaper. Will has been trying very hard to ignore it and go to bed instead of judging her, but his body won't relax and his mind won't shut off. He'd always struggled sleeping in new places, unable to let his guard down and fight the urge to flee.
"Will?"
It seemed like Mike was having trouble sleeping, too.
"Hm?"
"You asleep?"
Will bites down a smile, his two front teeth digging into his lower lips. "Mhm. Totally asleep right now."
Mike huffs out a laugh, quiet and drowsy. "Right. Sorry, dumb question. Stupid of me, huh?"
"I didn't say that exactly…"
"You didn't have to, I heard it in your voice." Will's face burns, grin stretched tight, restless. His stomach twists the way it always did when he got Mike alone like this, close and personal. It was wrong of him to hold it so close, but he'd always been bad at giving Mike up fully. "Can I ask you another dumb question?"
"You just di-"
"Don't finish that," Mike cuts in, low. There's a slight heft to his voice, deeper than usual. Will's fingers twitch before he burrows them into the pillow under his head. "Can I?"
"…Yeah. Yeah, of course."
"Good. Were you- were you actually serious earlier?"
Will feels his eyebrows pull together, the flutter in his stomach turning heavy, like butterflies dying mid flight. "About what?"
Mike huffs, upset, and Will feels the bugs inside of him curl up, withering. "You know what I'm talking about."
"I really don't- did I make you mad? I don't remember what I could have possibly said-"
"No!" Mike rushes to clarify, and Will can hear him shift on the ground. "No- no, I'm not mad. I'm talking about you getting a job. You're not serious about that, are you?"
Will's brows tighten further in confusion, and he twists around, rolling to the side, the mattress creaking softly beneath him. He rests his head against his palm, peering over the edge of the bed.
Mike's form was shadowed, only Ms. Henderson's duck shaped nightlight giving him any sort of visible shape, the yellow light of it bouncing off the side of his face. Mike had one arm folded beneath his head, his free hand scratching at the skin at his lower stomach. His nails course through dark hair, a thin path from Mike's belly button down to a thicker section of curly strands peeking up from blue boxers that Will feels dizzy just looking at.
He wonders if Mike shaves there, too. He must have at least once, judging by the shortness of it. Maybe he shaves his trail as he shaves his face, and Will's just never gotten to see it grown out until now, like the stubble along Mike's jaw.
Will's starting to realize he has a problem.
"Will?" His eyes snap up, worried, but Mike's not focused on him, his own gaze pointed up to the ceiling. "Is that a no?"
"No what?"
Mike huffs, a grin tugging at his lips. Will's fingers twitch again with a need to draw him like this, to get this view down onto paper to be saved and studied whenever his mind forgot. "No to getting a job?"
"Oh." Brown eyes flick to his, slightly narrowed, expectant and waiting. "Oh. Uhm- yes, actually. I don't know if anyone will hire me, but it can't hurt to try, right?" His voice cracks, and he fights the urge to wince.
Mike's jaw shifts, tense, like he's chewing something he doesn't want to swallow. "Okay."
"…Why are you so upset?" Will's tone shifts, carefully dipping into something quieter, more open. When Mike got annoyed, gentleness worked the best to calm him down.
"I'm not." Will hums, disbelieving. Mike lets out a slow breath through his nose, steady, gathering his thoughts. "I'm not, honest. I just- I don't like the thought of you needing to work."
Will blinks. "…Mike."
"Don't laugh- I'm being serious here."
Will snorts anyway, not bothering with smothering it. "Sorry- it's just-"
"I know, you don't have to say it."
"I'm not making fun of you. It's just- I'm sorry. Sorry. Explain- I don't think I get what you mean."
Mike sighs, his fingers tapping a rhythm against the skin of his stomach, his shirt hiked up so high that all it covered was his chest and his shoulders. He would probably be cooler if he were shirtless. And in just his boxers. Will bites his tongue, reigning himself in.
"I don't like the thought of you figuring out work schedules and having to talk to a boss, or deal with coworkers- I just don't get it. If you need something, you know I'd pay for it, right? I don't care about my dad's money. The more he pays the better."
Will snorts again, only feeling slightly mean for doing so. "You can't just take care of everything for me forever, you do know that, right? We're not kids anymore, it'll take a lot more than Nancy's piggy bank to fund me."
Mike's lips twist up, his tongue darting out quickly to wet them. "Yeah, I know. Hence my dad's card. You can just keep my wallet, or something."
"Mike," Will murmurs, trying hard not to laugh. "Thank you for offering, but I don't need you to do that."
Mike's body turns to match his, looking up, gaze intense and displeased. "What?"
"Everyone has to deal with getting a job, it's just- it's the way of life, I guess. I'd prefer doing something I liked, but not everyone's as lucky, especially without experience. I was kind of thinking checking the mall this weekend and seeing who's hiring."
"…I hate the idea of you working about money."
"You worry about money."
"I know, but- you were talking about mortgages and taxes earlier. You shouldn't have to worry about that. I don't want you to."
Will's mouth shuts, his brain racing, unable to reply. The crickets are loud in the silence despite Will's heart thumping through his ears enough to deafen him.
"Will," Mike starts again, his expression conflicted. He lifts his hands to press against his face, big palms dragging down as he groans, displeased. A part of Will stirs awake at the sight of it, Mike disheveled and tense. "Just- think about it, okay?"
"Mm?" He replies, his brain sluggish. Mike's hands drop, his fingers interlacing on his stomach again. Will's eyes flick down without meaning to. Mike should never shave again.
"Just…" Mike hesitates. His body rises and falls as he breathes, long legged and broad shouldered. "You don't need to decide on getting a job so soon, okay? You have the whole summer, and if you never end up getting one, that's fine- we can figure it out next semester. You can dorm with me-"
"What about Dustin and Lucas?"
"Who cares?"
Heat thrums against Will's spine at Mike's dismissal. "They'd be upset. Besides, me and Dustin have already started looking at which dorm hall would be closest to our class buildings, already."
"Dustin and I, you mean."
Will exhales a little laugh through his nose, breathy and quiet. "Yeah, yeah. Dustin and I, Mr. English Major."
"You like that I'm good with my words," Mike mumbles quietly, his voice almost like a purr. Will feels it rumble into his bones.
"…Maybe."
"Come on, admit it. You like the way I talk."
"You're fishing for compliments."
"Maybe. Just humor me for a minute."
"…Fine. I like that you're pretentious."
"Ooh, that's a big word there-"
Will breaks out into hushed laughter, and he grabs a pillow, smacking it against Mike's chest. Mike wraps his arms around it, looking up at him, eyes fond.
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Don't be mad with me."
"I'm not," Will whispers, a bit too honest for what had just been a joking moment.
"…You know," Mike starts, hesitating for a second. "Dustin's idea wasnt too bad."
"The apartment?"
"Yeah. But in a house, not in an apartment. It'd be fun, you know? Us living together. We're practically together all the time, anyway. I could pay the bills, and Lucas can get groceries, and Dustin could pick out furniture that we'll end up throwing away for being ugly." Will snorts again. "You could paint."
"Just paint? Not mow the lawn, or do- home maintenance, or something?"
"No. No way. I'd take care of mowing, you could garden and plant whatever veggies you want in our back yard."
"… You know I can help out, right? I can take care of myself." Mike frowns, eyes searching Will's face. "I'm capable. I can go grocery shopping too, or work a nine to five. I know you're just being nice, but I'm not useless, Mike."
"I know. God, Will, you're- you're the most capable person I know. You don't need anyone-" Mike lets out a bitter little laugh. "I know that. I just… I wish you didn't have to deal with it. Any of it. You don't deserve to deal with bullshit your whole life just to end up with some office job until you're sixty."
Will softens, sighing. "…Yeah. It does sound nice."
"Yeah?" Mike mumbles, hopeful.
"Yeah. It sounds like a dream, almost. Never having to work or worry about anything, just getting to do whatever I want whenever I want. Spending the rest of my life playing games and painting with whatever art supplies I want? It's- it's too good to imagine."
"You could. Imagine it, I mean. If you wanted to. I could work hard enough to support both of us, and you could stay at home and be happy. I'd want to, if you wanted that."
The nightlight flickers, the hue of it bouncing off of Mike's irises. Will sighs again, fond.
"Sure, Mike."
"Will-" Mike cuts himself off, tense, his fingers twisting in the pillowcase, nails digging into the fabric. "… Are you excited for tomorrow?"
Will feels something inside him wilt. It seems Mike's done with being honest for tonight.
"…Yeah. I didn't pack any sunscreen, so I'm hoping I can steal some from Max."
"I can get some. Which spf do you want?"
"… Fifty should be fine. Would you drive me to the store tomorrow morning? That way we can get snacks for everyone."
"Yeah-! Yeah, yeah. Of course. Totally."
Will looks at him for a second longer before he smiles one last time, rolling over and turning his back to Mike. "Sounds good. I'm going to try and get some sleep, if that's okay."
"…Night, Will."
Will can hear him shift again, muttering under his breath, his voice tense. Will just squeezes his eyes just, trying not to focus on it.
"Goodnight, Mike."