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Rockin’ Robin.
Listening to the WSQK on the way to school wasn’t just normal, it was expected. Almost everyone their age tuned in whether they’d admit it or not. With all the confusion that came with living in Hawkins, Indiana in 1987, no one could resist the one source of information - it may not be much, but it was a hell of a lot more than the very silent soldiers were giving them.
Of course, information wasn’t such a problem for Mike Wheeler. He and his friends knew more than just about everyone. About Vecna, the demos, the Upside Down, and even roughly what was happening in the MAC-Z. The real reason the party (and added extras) were listening so constantly, so intently - other than the awesome music - was because it was their secret communication service. If there was a Crawl planned, Upside Down by Diana Ross would start playing whilst Robin sent them the information in code. This would allow each group (the party, Nancy and her friends, and Joyce, Hop and El) to each go over the plans, before meeting up at the designated time outside the WSQK building.
Mike hadn’t had much to do with Robin Buckley before - she was closest with Steve Harrington, whom he’d originally thought she was dating. All he really knew about her was that she’s 19 years old (the same as Nancy), kind of badass, and really quite strange in a way Mike had never been able to put his finger on. Her awkwardness reminded him of Will, although most things seemed to remind him of Will these days. Being so far away - both physically, and emotionally - for so long had really made Mike appreciate their new-found closeness all the more. Maybe it was that, or the kidnapping all those years ago, but he hated it when Will was out of his sight for too long.
Helpfully, upon their return to Hawkins from California, Will and Jonathan had moved into their basement to allow space for Joyce and Hopper to keep El safe and train her out in Hop’s hut. It had become pretty obvious fairly quickly that the government was after her again.
El had broken up with him for real, quietly, a few days after returning to Hawkins. Mike felt uneasy at the relief that had spread through him immediately after.
Having so much one-on-one time with Will in the last eighteen months - despite the busy Wheeler household - had not only restored their friendship, but strengthened it, as well. With Lucas spending most of his time in the hospital with Max, and Dustin spending so much time alone after…well, Eddie, Mike had spent many mornings, afternoons and evenings in the basement with Will planning their next DnD campaign while Will sketched, or hanging in his room reading comics together. Just the two of them.
But Mike knew Will was hiding something.
It had all started the morning before Holly was taken. They’d tuned in to the WSQK in time to hear Rockin’ Robin mention her date that evening, and dedicate her next song to them. Mike obviously hadn’t thought much of it - that was Robin’s business, and he didn’t really know her well enough to comment or even think on it.
However, she clearly hadn’t been able to go on her mystery date that night, as there’d been a Crawl, followed by Holly’s kidnapping. And, to put it lightly, Mike simply did not give a shit. His parents were dying, his sister was gone…he hadn’t even remembered what she’d said.
That was, until Mike realised just how much time Will and Robin had started spending together. At first, he was just vaguely aware that they were together at the Squawk during the Crawl. That was fine, that made sense; Joyce wouldn’t let him out of his sight, and quite frankly, Mike understood why. Then they’d snuck off together. Fine. Mike also understood why Will would want to help more - he’d been in Holly’s position five years ago, and the Byers were, and always had been, so close to the Wheelers. Holly was like a little sister to Will, as well. They used to play together.
But then Mike started to notice things: a few shared looks, the two actively choosing to work together. He’d pushed it down as nothing - they were friends. But there was a strange feeling bubbling in his stomach. Maybe since becoming best friends with Will again, he was just worried about losing him again. Yeah, that made sense.
Still, Mike tried his best to stay closer to Will. As they walked down the field in the sunset towards the tunnel entrance, ready to break into the MAC-Z and kidnap some children (for the greater good, of course), he was happy to see Will actively hanging back with him from the rest of the group.
Will seemed happier; he wore a smile, his eyes crinkled with contentment rather than anxiety. He seemed carefree, despite their task. It made Mike happy, and brought a little blush to his cheeks. (It was the evening, he was just cold.) Mike decided to cross his legs over to bump his arm against Will’s in what he hoped seemed like a nonchalant, but friendly way.
He should say something.
“Your Mom and Robin seem to be getting along better,” Mike started, cursing himself internally. Why would he bring up Robin?
He hated the way Will’s eyes lit up as he looked ahead, almost trying to fight back a grin. “Well, it didn’t hurt that Mom scared off that demo, and saved Robin’s life!” Will shrugged happily, before adding, “Everybody’s life.”
Mike looked away, trying to control his expression, aware that Will was watching him intently. He did a double take, before glancing again out of the corner of his eye when he saw Will turn away quickly after seeing him notice him. Mike decided it was best to change the subject.
“So when your Mom, when she had her axe, you could- you could see her? Like, through the demo’s eyes?” he asked, meeting Will’s eyes.
“Yeah,” Will responded, looking down awkwardly - almost as if he were ashamed, or scared, and either way Mike wanted to hurt everyone that had ever made him feel that way. “And I was so close to the Hive, it’s like I could- I could feel what it was feeling, like- like this anger, that I was still in there too.” A pause. “I was afraid, I was afraid for my Mom-”
Mike cut him off. “You wanted to protect her-”
“Yeah, but I- I- I just couldn’t. It was like this scary movie that you just can’t, like, turn off…” Will trailed off. Mike looked away, thinking, begging his head to provide each and every answer Will wanted- no, needed. In the distance, he could hear the others opening the tunnel, and he knew realistically there were more pressing matters that should be on his mind. At least the silence was comfortable.
Of course, Mike couldn’t stay quiet.
Turning to face Will, he accidentally brushed his fingers against his chest, causing a strange feeling in his chest - almost like butterflies. “Are you positive you didn’t?” Mike blurted out quickly, pushing the feeling away. (And ignoring the fact that Will was already looking at him).
“Didn’t what?” Will asked, coming to a stop at the same time Mike did.
“Turn off the scary movie,” Mike clarified, “Protect your Mom, not the other way around- I mean, no offence, I know she’s badass and everything, but y’know,” he shrugged.
Will rolled his eyes. “Yeah, she’s 5’3”,” he pointed out, sarcastically.
“Yeah! And Vecna likes to control the hive mind like a puppet master, so maybe when you tap into the hive, you can pull the strings too!” Mike explained, eyes switching between Will’s own hazel eyes and the ground. He loved those hazel eyes.
“Except, I’m not Vecna,” Will frowned indignantly.
“You sorta are!” he responded, before realising what he’d just said. Comparing his sweet Will to Vecna? Why would he say that?
Thankfully, Will blinked in an almost giggly confusion. “You’re trying to say that I’m evil, and hell-bent on destroying the world?” he laughed. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing to say, to see that expression.
“Totally!” Mike joked, before clarifying, “No! I’m just saying that you’re like- a wizard, like him!”
Will’s joyful stare made him bashful, and he looked down at the ground again feeling his cheeks flush before focusing on Will’s grin.
“In DnD, Mike, not in real life!” Will rolled his eyes again, head knocking back in feigned exasperation. Will’s cheeks looked a little blushed, too. It was so sweet, Mike knew he had to keep going.
“True. In real life, you’re more like a sorcerer, because your powers don’t come from a book of spells - they’re innate!”
Will scoffed, but he was grinning ear to ear. Why did that make Mike so happy? They were friends. Friends. Only this time, it was himself he was trying to convince.
“Listen,” Mike reasoned, “As far as crazy theories go, I’ve had crazier! And with Eleven in the Upside Down, we really need some magic up here.”
In response, Will playfully shoved his chest. Mike grinned, eyes flickering back to Will even as he turned to face forward again. Until it hit him - was Will flirting? Were they flirting?
But as he faced the tunnels, he came face to face with Rockin’ Robin, throwing him harshly back into reality.
Since the universe hated him, Mike was very aware of the hushed voices from Will and Robin further behind the rest of their group in the tunnels. For once, the sound of Will’s laughter didn’t fill him with joy.
The rest of the night was a blur, between the burst pipe and being caught, until suddenly a demogorgon was charging at him, and Mike Wheeler was about to die.
And all he could think about was Will.
Will on a blue and yellow swing as a child, Will showing off Castle Byers, their first sleepover, their first DnD game, Will laughing, Will going missing, Will being taken over by the Mind Flayer, Will the moment Mike arrived in California looking nothing like the little boy he’d said goodbye to, but with the same sparkle in his eye. He and Will hanging out in his house for the last year and a half, reading comics together. Will.
And then the demogorgon was frozen in mid air. And then its limbs snapped one by one, until all that was left was Will, the same hazel eyes he loved, with blood dripping from his nose, and all Mike could do was stare in awe.
A moment later, both Will and Mike appeared to snap out of a trance, and Mike began running towards Will, and Will reached his arms out, and Mike- kissed him. Immediately, he dragged himself away, cursing in his head and probably outloud, too.
“Shit, shit, Will, I’m-”
Will was staring at him, eyes wide as if this was the shocking moment, before reaching out to grab Mike’s jumper and pulling him back in. Their lips crashed together, as if this really was the only thing that mattered.