Mike got to school in a hurry, being the first to show up, thoughts of Will and a focus on talking to Dustin filling his head. He needed to know what was going on; and if he could manage it, he wanted to make a claim on Will. Will was his. Mike was almost surprised at his protectiveness- technically Mike was with Eleven and Will was.... well, single. Up for the taking. But Mike wanted him. Will was the first to arrive at school, bringing a soft smile to Mike's face, like the ones he would aim at Eleven, or the ones he would use when comforting Will. The sight of Will had been bringing a soft and content feeling to Mike as of late.
"Hey, Will." Mike smile was in his tone of voice when Will approached, and Mike gently reached out and flitted his hand across the other's boys shoulder in greeting.
Will smiled back, a light conversation unfolding between the two. That was until Dustin came around, bumping his shoulder against Will's. A sinking feeling sank into Mike's stomach when the two began to interact. "Hey Dustin," Mike piped up. "Are you busy after school?"
Dustin looked back at him with a thoughtful expression. "No, I don't think so. Why?"
"You think you can come over to mine after school? Just for a couple minutes." Dustin shrugged and then nodded, with a slightly confused face. Mike noticed that Will's shoulders slumped a little, and Mike instantly shifted a little closer, pulling the other boy into conversation.
Throughout the day, Mike couldn't focus in his classes. While his teachers rattled on about geometry formulas or the War of 1812, his mind was all on Will and the conversation that would be held with Dustin. At lunch, Mike made sure to sit between Dustin and Will, edging closer to Will. He found himself reaching for Will's hand naturally, Will curling his fingers around Mike's before he had even grazed it. Finally, finally the last class of the day arrived. He actually had it with Will, and instead of paying attention, Mike spent the period poking and teasing Will, the pair whispering and gesturing to one another throughout. However, the bell rang much too soon, and the boys rushed to their lockers to gather their belongings.
The Party met outside by their parked bikes, Max getting her skateboard out. The group hopped on, chattering about classes or what they wanted to do this weekend. Dustin and Mike shared a glance. The ride home was a mostly peaceful one, the group branching off in their respected directions when the time came. Dustin and Mike stayed together, riding off to the Wheeler's home.
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Once inside with Dustin, Mike's stomach dropped. This could go wrong. Mike would just have to be smart about it. He greeted his mother, who was not surprised and made little comment on Dustin's appearance. The pair headed down into the basement, shutting the door tightly. They sat down together on the sofa, Mike taking a moment before opening.
"So, I asked you to come over today because I kind of want to talk to you about something..." Mike started off kind of awkwardly, procrastinating.
"Yeah, so... what is it?" Dustin asked curiously.
"I wanted to talk to you about Will." Mike bluntly put it out there.
"Oh?" Dustin asked, confused but intrigued.
"I wanted to know... what's with you two lately? You guys have just been... closer, recently."
Dustin's face still had the confused expression for a moment before contorting to a mix of understanding and of an expression that asked, 'Are you serious right now?'. "What do you mean, Mike? He's my friend and I like to hang out with him."
"Are you sure about that?" Mike stood up and began to pace. "Because you two have been spending a lot more time together than you used too. What're your intentions with Will?" Mike's tone of voice was clearly showing distrust and jealousy at this point. Dustin nearly choked on air in disbelief at the accusation, like Dustin was trying to lure Will in.
This time, Dustin stood up. "Are you joking right now, Mike? There is nothing going on! Why do you even care if there is?" Dustin spluttered out, his anger coming to the surface far too quickly. What right did Mike seriously think he had? What was Dustin supposed to say? 'Oh, sorry that Will is kind of in love with you and needs someone to be there for him, since you're too wrapped up in your little girlfriend to notice anything else!' Yeah, like Dustin could say that.
"I care because Will is my best friend! I have to watch out for him, I don't want him getting hurt!" Mike spit out, his voice rising a bit in a defensive manner.
Dustin's eyebrows rose while he gave Mike a slow, unimpressed look. "Really, Mike? I've been stepping up on the time I spend with Will because you haven't been there. He's kind of been hurting and needed someone to talk too."
Mike froze. "What do you mean?" Mike forced out, already knowing the answer.
"You're always off with Eleven, Mike! Will has been your best friend since Kindergarten, your first friend. Then he's gone for a week, you meet Eleven and you're hooked immediately. Then he goes through literal Hell and still your mind is on her. The second Eleven comes back, you forgot all about him; and it's hurting Will, badly. He told me he feels like he's been replaced!" Dustin's anger was getting the best of him, but there was no putting the cap back on now.
Mike's guilt flooded him before his anger pushed back with full force. 'He's got a point there... but I've been working harder to fix it. And that isn't even the point, here!' Mike took a few threatening steps forward. "I... I know. I haven't been treating him right-" Mike's shoulders slumped a little in shame. "But I caught myself and I'm trying to fix it. I'm not going to hurt him, Dustin. So I think you can step off." Mike's tone took one of warning and possession.
With his next words, Dustin's voice was dangerously low. "I'll give you credit, Mike- you have been stepping back up to the plate. But I don't think I can leave Will to get hurt."
Mike squared his jaw. "Oh, yeah? Why the hell are you so bent on this idea that I'm going to hurt him?"
Dustin gave out a bitter laugh before exclaiming, "Because Will is so fucking in love with you, and you can't even see it because of how hung up you are on Eleven!"
A stunned silence filled the room, Dustin's eyes widening and a hand shooting up to his mouth. Mike's anger was completely forgotten, a feeling of disbelief and the smallest spark of hope rising. "What did you say?"
Dustin swallowed, his eyes shooting down. "You can't... you can't tell him you know."
"Did you say what I thought you did? Will is in love with me?" A small smile played on the corner of Mike's lips.
The now paling Dustin looked up, confusion taking over his face once taking in Mike's expression. "Uh... yeah. He is."
"Oh my god... I... I have to go see him!" Mike stuttered out, turning on his heels and clambering up the stairs, taking two at a time.
"Wait, Mike, you can't!" The other boy scrambled and was quickly behind him, trying to pull him back. However, Mike wouldn't have it; his only concern was getting to Will. Mike needed to hold Will, to tell him he was sorry and that he loved him too.
Mike raced to the living room, facing his mother. "Hey mom, I've gotta go see Will. It's really important!" Mike spat out quickly, Dustin shifting behind him uncomfortably. Mrs. Wheeler waved him off unconcerned, on the phone.
Once outside, Mike quickly yanked his bike off the ground, finally turning to face Dustin.
"Mike, you can't---" Dustin was nearly out of breath. "You can't tell him you know. You rejecting him might kill him."
"I'm not going to reject him, Dustin. I... I feel the same way about him." He said calmly, hopping on his bike and getting ready to speed off.
Dustin stepped back in surprise. "You do? But what about Eleven?"
"I'll explain it all to you later if you really want to know. But don't worry about Will! I'm going to take care of him!" Mike called back over his shoulder, increasing his peddling speed so he could get to Will on the double