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“Sometimes I just think that I'll never be back to how I was before, you know? Or that I'm not good enough, that I'll never be normal like everyone else.” Will vents out to Mike.
His friend, lying down, turns to Will, who is laying beside him.
“Will, it's okay to not be normal. That's what makes you special, you're unique. Imagine how boring the world would be if we were all the same, if no one was like you, like Will Byers.” Mike chuckles, still looking at Will, who's staring at the ceiling of his bedroom.
“What's even the point in being “unique” if no one likes you? I'd rather just be like everyone.” Will says before turning to the side to face his friend. He sighs, “I-I'm sorry, Mike. I don't know why I have these thoughts. I just wish they'd go away.”
Mike smiles, “Well, there's one thing we do know for sure.”
The brown-haired boy gave him a confusing look, “What?”
“You're good enough for me. In fact, you're more than good, you're amazing! You're cool, Will. Really cool.” he says, sitting up happily.
Will follows along. “You really think so?”
“Oh, I know so. I mean, look at you! Your drawings, your clothes, your voice and toys are all so cool. And you have a smile that's so cute it makes anyone who looks at you, smile back.” Mike compliments him enthusiastically.
Will's face reddens, “No, no. You're only saying that to make me feel better. None of the things you mentioned are “cool”. They're ridiculous, like me.” he says looking down while playing with his fingers, his smile later turning into a frown once again.
“I'm not lying! I'm saying nothing but the truth! You do have an adorable smile! And cool clothes.”
“But everyone said they're too colourful–”
“Who cares what the others think? They're probably just jealous because they can't pull off the clothes you wear!” Mike cuts him off.
Will chuckles, then jokingly yells “No!”
“Yes! You are cool!” his friend responds.
“No, I'm not!”
“Yes.. you.. are!” Mike tackles him down on the bed, sitting on top of him while tickling him on his sides. “You are! You are!” he says repeatedly.
Will squeals, “Haha– Stop– ah! It t-tickles!”
“I'm not gonna stop until you say you are!”
“Ahaha– I-I'm cool!– I'm cool!”
“What was that, Will?! Couldn't hear ya!” He teases him.
“I'm cool– I'm awesome!”
Mike stops, and then starts laughing. Will pants and joins in.
“That was a tickle torture! I'm gonna get revenge!” He attempts to tickle his friend back but fails when Mike grabs his wrist and pushes it away.
Will laughs. “Stop! I must torture you back!”
“Goodluck with that!” Mike giggles knowing that he was stronger than him.
Their laughter lasted for a couple seconds, after that the two's eyes met. Both smiling.
“You forgot to say something else.”
“What?” Will raises his eyebrow.
Mike responds, “That you have an adorable smile.”
The brown-haired boy pouts. “You have a cute smile! I don't..”
His friend lets go of his wrist and leans down. “Okay but this part is cute!–” Mike added planting a kiss on Will's forehead, “And both your cheeks– your chin–”
“Mike!”
He continues, “And finally your nose!” he says as he leaves another kiss on his friend's face.
After Mike pulls away he sees Will turning bright red. He grins. He knew that over complimenting his friend would make him blush.
“Why'd you do that?!” Will giggles, opening his eyes to look at Mike.
“Why not? Did you not like it?”
“What? I-I did!– I mean no– I mean, I do!– I mean–” Will struggles to come up with an answer.
“Wait, I forgot this part!”
Mike gets close to him and..
“Hey sweetie, do you know where your brother is–” Joyce opens the door. Shocked to see Mike on top of his son.
“Oh, h-hi mom..” Will looks over at her, standing just outside his room.
Mike awkwardly smiles, “Hey Mrs. Byers..” waving slowly with his right hand.
Silence filled the room, until Will decided to speak, “I think he went to go.. study with Nancy..”
Joyce, wide-eyed, slowly backs away. “Alright.. thanks sweetie! You two, uh, have fun. I'm just gonna go talk to Jonathan.”
“Okay, mom. Thanks..” he waits for his mom to close the door. As soon as she does, both boys stare at each other, embarrassed that someone caught them like this.
Mike whispers, “I can't believe that just happened!” the two chuckled. “So.. what did you forget again?” the brown-haired boy continues.
“This.” Before Will could reply, his friend had already lifted his chin and locked lips with him.
He couldn't reply, he didn't know what to do. He was in disbelief. Will had been aware of his feelings about Mike long before he went missing but he thought to himself that no, he couldn't be attracted to or in love with his best friend. That he isn't gay. He denied the way he felt towards the boy every day, for several years, but today was different.
He pushed those thoughts away and finally admitted to himself that he did love Mike, whether or not it was as a friend or something else, he was sure that he loved him. And clearly, Mike also did. So with those out of the way, he leaned into the kiss more.
Mike was taken aback, moving backwards a bit but never removing his lips from Will's.
After a while, the two pulled away, with Mike being the first. He laid down on the left side of the bed and just stared at the ceiling.
Will on the other hand was blushing, and couldn't put his eyes on his friend so instead he looked outside the window. He sees two blue butterflies flying around one another.
“I wonder if those two butterflies are friends,” he said, pointing outside.
Mike's gaze follows his finger and sees the two insects roaming around. “Like us?”
His friend grins, but Will laughs lightly, “Like us. And they look beautiful..” he states as he feels Mike's arms around his torso, he then turns around to meet his eyes.
“You're right, Will. So do you.”