time after time |byler|

.the dream.

This chapter follows Mike

It was just Mike and Will, in front of the Byer residence. They are standing on the porch, arms resting on the railing. Stalling Michael's inevitable departure. Hands dangerously close to each other. Is it really so dangerous though? Is it wrong for two bestfriends to just, hold hands? Surely not right? Thats what Mike thought as he carefully placed his hand over Will's. But if it wasnt wrong, why did he snatch it away when Joyce opened the front door?

"Will, Hunny its freezing out here. Come inside." Will looked down at his hand, frowning at the coldness of it. Joyce then turned her attention to Mike.

"Are you staying?" She asked. Mike shook his head, sighing at the thought of leaving his friend. He pushed himself away from the railing, his head down as he said bye to Will.

"I'll see you tomorrow Mike!" He chimed happily, beginning to follow his mom inside. Michael dragged his feet as he walked away from his favorite person. though, he only got about ten steps away before he heard the door slam open.

"Michael!" Will was running with something blue flinging around in his hand. Michael thought he was beautiful, even when his hair was flying around widly. When the boy got closer he realized that the blue thing was the sweater that he was wearing before. Mike's sweater.

"My mom was right. It is freezing, so here!" Will tossed him the soft fabric. Mike's heartbeat started to speed up. Must've been the cold. He looked down at his arms and realized that he had goosebumps. That was also totally the cold. He looked back at Will, seeing that the shorter boy's cheeks were a bright red. The cold does that to people!!

"I- Thank you." He stuttered. Mike never does that. He doesnt think the cold makes people stutter. He slipped the sweater on, even though he wasn't cold. It made him more comfortable though. Mile smiled at Will, and then engulfed him into a hug. That hug may have lasted too long. too long to just be friendly. But of course, the two didn't know that. Everyone else did though.

"Tomorrow yeah?" Will whispered when they finally pulled away.

"Tomorrow."

--

The walk back was cold and lonely. Mike regretted not taking his bike. He eventually returned to his home, safe and sound. It was well after sundown, and Michael was exhausted. He didnt bother telling his family he was home and went straight to his bed. He was excited for the next day. Or more specifically, the next time he gets to see Will.

--

The lake looked beautiful from the cliff. The sun shone on it, creating a warm glow. It was peaceful up where Michael sat, his legs dangling in the air. One slip, and he'd be gone. the impact of his body hitting the water would kill him straight away. The thought made him shiver. Another body was at his side, Mike doesn't know when he got there, but Will was smiling.

"It's beautiful, right?" His voice was soft and filled with happiness. Michael stared into his eyes, the stunning brown and green seemed to swirl around.

"Not as beautiful as you." He found himself saying, yet not surprised at his own words. What surprised them is that he voiced it out loud, and to the boy himself. Will smiled, it only slightly fading when his eyes flicked down to Mike's lips. He came closer, and closer. Butterflies bloomed in his stomach. Did Mike want this? He didn't have time to think before it happened. Will's lips on his, and him kissing back. In the 6 seconds they were kissing, Mike decided that he did indeed want this. He wanted it so bad. He needed it. They pulled away, too soon in Mike's opinion.

"Mike.. Michael I- I lo-"

--

What the fuck. That was Mike's first thought when he woke up. There was no way that he just dreamed of kissing his best friend. He's dreamed of Will before, but never in this context. Theres no way Michael actually LIKES Will, right?

"But what if I do?" He said to himself. It was like he was arguing with his own mind. You can't like your best friend.

"Why not? Best friends fall in love all the time."

Because you're a boy. Will is a boy

"So what?"

Will doesn't even like you like that, plus none of your family or friends would accept you.

Mike held his head in his hands. The dream was probably a one time thing. It wont ever happen again. He's not gay. He likes girls. He tried to imagine his type.

A girl with short brown hair and hazel eyes. She would be a nerd like him. He would like someone smart to help him with his homework. Maybe she would be artsy too.

The more he thought, the more the girl seemed to literally transform into Will Byers. Maybe Mike was just spending too much time with the boy?

"Hey asshole, Will is here." Mike recognized the voice of Nancy. She was probably getting ready for work. She works at some newspaper thing. He panicked, only because he was supposed to be meeting Will at his place. He looked at his alarm clock, seeing that it was well after the time he said that he would be there.

"Shit shit shit." Mike cursed, rolling out of his bed. He struggled to find a pair of clean jeans, digging through his unorganized drawers. He ran down the stairs as he finished putting his shirt on, almost falling.

"Im here- Wheres Will?" Mike gasped when he got to the bottom of the steps, Nancy putting her heels on at the door.

"He's in the living room. He looks kinda worried." She responded, her face filled with genuine concern, but only for a moment. Mike raced into that room, seeing the boy just sitting on the couch.

"Did you over sleep?" Will asked, seemingly relieved now that Michael was there.

"Yea- Im so sorry I guess I slept through my alarm." He apologized quickly, earning that gorgeous laugh from the boy across from him.

"Must've been a good dream yeah?" Mike's mind immediately went back to that dream. He thought about kissing his best friend, and how good it was.

"Yeah. Yea i guess it was." He admitted, making eye contact with Will. Maybe it was his imagination, but he swears that in that moment that boy's lips were radiating this warm glow. Drawn to him, Mike sat next to him, maybe a little closer than he should've.

"You can tell me about it." Will whispered, moving his knee so that it touched Mike's.

"No no its okay!" He stammered, slightly leaning closer to the brunette. It was like he just couldn't get close enough. Or maybe he was just too scared to get as close as he wanted. Deep down, he thought he was letting precious time just slip away. Time that he could be using to tell the boy right next to him how handsome he was. How funny he was. How much he made Mike feel safe. Like nothing would ever hurt him as long as Will was around. One thing he knew for sure, as long as he knew Will, even if they hated each other or some bull shit, he would still protect him. With all of his strength.

"Okay then! What do you wanna do then? We could meet up with the party at the mall? I heard they were going today." Will smiled, not pushing at all about the dream. That was one of the things that Mike loved about him. He was always so understanding, he never made you say anything you truly didn't want to talk about. The more Mike thought though, the more he wasn't sure if he DIDNT want to talk about it.

"The mall sounds nice, we could go get ice-cream too!" Michael hopped up, excited about the events to come. He might've been a tiny bit sad that he couldn't just be with Will alone, but no one had to know that.

"Okay! I can radio Dustin and see what time they are going."