American Heroes: A Stranger Things 3 Fic

Dungeon Master

"Huh?" Will whispers back but still facing the ceiling. "What for?"

"For fighting today at the mall."

"You don't have to apologize for that."

"I know, but I was being a bit... intense."

"Doesn't matter. You're not the only one to blame for us fighting. I was being just as intense as you were."

"But you had a point. If the gate really is underneath Starcourt, we could get rid of the Mind Flayer easier than we would have if you didn't check out the Russians."

"But you had a point, too. We had to make sure Billy was the host, and if you guys hadn't left when you said to, you might not have been able to get him in the sauna in the first place."

Mike laughs quietly. "Alright, so we were both right."

"Basically."

Another laugh. Will can feel Mike's breath on his cheek. He squeezes his eyes shut, focusing on steadying his own breath in order for it not to sound ragged like he's about to hyperventilate.

"Why do you think your mom is going with Hopper to Illinois?" Mike asks him.

His breath steadies at this question. He had no idea.

When Will doesn't answer, Mike continues, "Do you think they know something? About the Mind Flayer? Or the Russians maybe? What's in Illinois anyway?"

"Beats me."

"Did you tell your mom about feeling the Mind Flayer again?"

"No, I haven't seen her since yesterday morning." This sends a spark of panic through Will. All summer, his mom would be anxious if he came home too late without telling her, but last night, he hadn't even seen her at the house when Mike and Lucas were over. How long had she been gone?

"Did she say anything to you about going to Illinois?"

"No. That's what's weird," Will admits. "I haven't heard anything from her since yesterday."

"What about Jonathan? Do you think he would know why she's going?"

"I don't know. I haven't spoken to him much because he's got his internship at the paper, but he would have told me if he knew Mom was going to Illinois."

"Weird."

"Yeah, weird."

Out of the corner of his eye, Will sees Mike shift closer. Close enough that he can feel Mike's warm breath against the side of his face. Will's fingers curl around his blanket, bringing it up to his chin and gripping the fabric to keep from screaming.

"Are you okay?" Mike asks him.

"Yeah, why?"

"Because you won't look at me."

His face burns, but now that Mike's acknowledged it, he can't bare to turn and look at him. He tries to think of something to say, but nothing comes to mind and his voice doesn't seem to be working anymore.

"Will."

"Mmhm?"

"Will." Mike cups Will's cheek in his hand and turns his head to face him. Looking Mike directly in the eyes, his entire body tenses. They're mere inches apart. He can feel Mike's breath on his upper lip, and his soft hand on his face. His eyes drop down to Mike's lips where a smile is present before looking back into his eyes. "Will?"

"Yeah?" he barely whispers then flinches when Mike blows a puff of air into his eyes. "Hey!" He shoves Mike lightly, causing both of them to burst out into fits of laughter. They freeze when they hear a groan from around the couch where Max and El are sleeping, but once they realize they're not awake, their laughing fits continue.

Will cackles when Mike reaches under his blanket and starts tickling his sides. "Stop!" He smacks at Mike's hands and attempts to muffle Mike's laughter by shoving the blanket in his face. Whipping the blanket out of the way, Mike pokes Will in the ribs, eliciting a yelp from him.

Mike freezes. "Are you okay?"

"Mike?" Will says, focusing his gaze onto Mike's worried expression.

"Yeah? What is it?" Mike leans closer, and Will takes this chance to jab his finger into Mike's stomach. "Oof!"

Mike clutches his stomach while Will snickers. "That's not funny!" Mike smacks him lightly on the forehead.

"Yeah, it is!" Will laughs, earning him a pillow to the face. He wastes no time grabbing his own pillow and pummeling Mike with it, both of them suppressing shrieks of laughter.

Once they're finally worn out, their sides sore from laughing, they fall onto their backs, eyes on the ceiling. "I do miss this," Mike says. "Us hanging out together."

Will struggles to keep his eyes open. "You say it like it's been centuries."

"It sort of has."

"Not true. Movie nights with Lucas and Max. That counts."

"Okay, fine. But you know what I mean."

Will sighs. "Yeah, I guess I do."

Mike nudges Will's shoulder. "But hey, how about after all this shit with the Russians and the Mind Flayer, we hang out for real, like old times? You, me, Lucas, and Dustin."

"D&D?"

"Yeah, sure. D&D."

"And I'll be the Dungeon Master this time?"

"If you've got the campaign planned, then yeah."

A grin spreads across Will's face. "Thanks, Mike."

"Don't thank me. You're the one who's going to be in charge. It's hard work. Be prepared."

"No worries. I can handle a challenge. I'm Will the Wise, remember?"

"I could never forget."

Will and Mike begin to drift off to sleep. Will's eyelids are heavy as exhaustion overtakes him, but he can still feel when Mike's hand slips into his before sleep overcomes him.