Mike Wheeler had always been intense.
But now, his intensity focused on one person.
Every day the pattern repeated:
He arrived at the Byers' house early.
He sat beside Will during every class they shared.
He walked him home without being asked.
He watched him with an expression too soft for him to understand.
It wasn't subtle—not to the party and certainly not to Will.
During science class, Will caught Mike staring. Not just a glance—Mike's gaze lingered, soft and searching, as if he was memorizing him. Will's cheeks warmed, and he quickly pretended to check his notes.
Mike didn't even notice he'd been caught.
At lunch, when Will laughed—just a small, quiet laugh—Mike's face lit up like it was something rare and precious. Dustin and Lucas exchanged looks across the table.
"Okay, seriously," Dustin whispered to Lucas. "This is getting... obvious."
Lucas sighed, scratching his head. "He's scared, man. Will was gone. Imagine if that happened to you."
Dustin nodded slowly. "Yeah... but it's not just that."
They both looked at Mike again.
He wasn't talking. He wasn't teasing. He wasn't even eating. Just watching Will lean over his sketchbook with a focus that made his heart beat faster.
Something in Mike's chest seemed to soften and blur every time Will made a small sound—an exhale, a laugh, a question, anything.
After school, they walked their usual path. The air was cool, the sky streaked with orange and pink. Will spoke about his art assignment, but Mike didn't say much. He kept glancing sideways, checking, checking, checking.
At one point, Will stepped off the curb without thinking, distracted by a bird in a tree.
Mike's hand shot out instantly—grabbing Will's sleeve, pulling him gently back onto the sidewalk.
Not forceful.
Not dramatic.
Just protectively instinctive.
Will blinked, confused. "Mike?"
"You didn't see the car," Mike said quietly.
There wasn't one.
But Will didn't correct him.
And Mike didn't let go of his sleeve right away.
When they finally reached Will's house, they stood outside longer than usual. Neither seemed ready to end the day.
Will looked at Mike with a question in his eyes—one he didn't dare ask.
Mike looked back like he had a thousand answers he wasn't brave enough to say yet.
Something was building between them, soft and slow, like a candle flame growing taller in a dark room.
Neither touched it.
Not yet.
But they both felt it.
YOU ARE READING
Where i can see you. || Byler ||
RomanceEver since Will was found, Mike can't stand the idea of losing him again. He sticks close-at school, at home, even during D&D. Will thinks Mike is just shaken. The truth: Mike realized something terrifying while Will was gone.
