Chapter Text
11 March 1990
It’s a long drive from UChicago to familiar parts of Hawkins for Mike. Spring break has just begun and Mike wastes no time to go back to his small town.
The closer he gets to Hawkins, the more he starts to relax. Nature is beautiful to look at. The grass is green and it gives the town an almost ethereal look.
Upon arriving at his house, Mike sees a familiar figure on the driveway. Karen is waving at him. So Mike pulls the car into the driveway and practically runs from the car to greet his mother.
“Hey, baby, I missed you so much.” Karen hugs Mike. Her voice is shaky. Mike feels the tears seeping into his shirt.
“I missed you too.” He hesitates for a second but finally is able to respond to his mother.
Karen pulls back and tries to wipe her tears. Before they can say anything more, the front door opens and a blonde figure runs toward them.
Mike has no time to think before he is hugged by another person - his sister Holly. Her hug is much tighter than Karen’s.
“Mike, you are finally home. You have no idea how much I have to tell you.” She sounds excited.
“I’d love to hear them only if you don’t squeeze my lungs.” Mike squeaks as he tries to pull back from Holly.
He looks at his sister who has grown even more after Christmas. But she is still wearing the same DnD figurine necklace , the one Mike gave her 3 years ago. Deep down she is the same little girl that was scared and asked for his help.
“Why don’t we go inside?” Karen suggests. She takes Holly’s hand and tries to give Mike some space.
“One moment, I’ll take my stuff out of the trunk.” He manages to say before Holly pulls him with her.
Mike takes two duffle bags and goes after his family. He has no intention of going up to his room so he puts them down near the basement door.
“So, how’s the college going, son?” Mike hears Ted’s voice and turns around immediately.
“Quite well actually. I have made some new friends. My professors really like me as well.” Mike smirks when he says it. Ted is pleased with his response so he goes back to watching TV in his La-Z-Boy.
Karen wastes no time to prepare the dining table for the four of them. They catch up on more stuff. It almost feels like old times except Nancy is not there with them.
By the time they finish everything it’s already past eight. So Mike takes his stuff to his bedroom which has not changed at all. He smiles at that thought. How could anything have changed?
The moment he enters his familiar space, he notices a slightly different shade square on the wall. It’s where his painting used to hang before he took it with him to his dorm room. His heart sinks a bit when he thinks about it.
He is so confused about the painting, he could not look at it for the past month. He is not sure what is really behind it. Maybe the easiest way is to ask Will. But that thought is too scary. So he pushes it aside.
In order to clear his head, he opens one of the duffles and begins to unload his clothes. It only takes him 15 minutes before he is already on the second bag. It is mostly his hygiene stuff so he turns the bag upside down and unloads it on his floor. A tube of toothpaste rolls under the bed. His deodorant goes in a totally different direction.
Mike glances at the mess and tries to clean it up but freezes the moment he sees something unfamiliar. There’s a VHS tape in the middle of his stuff. He eyes it suspiciously.
How did it appear in his bag? Maybe his roommate put it there accidentally or intentionally to prank him? But it doesn’t feel right.
Mike takes the tape and looks at it carefully. He flips it over, examining it. It is a normal tape without anything standing out. There’s something written though. The letters look familiar as if someone he knows has written it. But the letters are in cursive and it’s a bit hard to read.
After struggling a bit he succeeds in distinguishing each letter.
“Ravishing situation”
Only the first letter is written with a different size. Mike becomes curious.
Maybe it’s just a stupid prank from his roommate David. He can’t be sure. But something inside him sparks with excitement. He needs to watch it. That way it will not be so mysterious anymore.
He makes his way to the door. Without giving any attention to his family he enters his safe space - basement.
In the past it used to be his haven. He spent a lot of time there with his friends, with El, with Will. He is flooded with the memories. His eyes sting and he realizes that he’s crying.
He’s crying over the childhood he had and the childhood he could have had.
He’s crying about the party’s fate.
Tears don’t stop and his vision becomes blurry. He almost falls down, not realizing there are still more stairs, but is able to hold himself.
He wipes his tears and finds the VHS.
Mike wants to find out what is behind the tape but he somehow is hesitant. He does not even know what he’s scared of. He taps the tape to calm his nerves before he exhales and puts it in the VHS player.
The screen lights up. There’s no title card or anything, it just begins playing. Mike sits down on the sofa tapping his foot nervously.
-
The first thing he hears is the violin being played. He can only see the back of the person who’s playing the instrument. Mike gets a sense of déjà vu. It feels like he’s seen something like that before.
The focus changes on the person. Now Mike can see how the boy is playing the violin from the front. His face is not yet visible. But Mike’s heart skips a beat. He recognizes this person from a very prominent mark—a mole above his lip. It’s Will.
-
Mike does not know what to do with this revelation. When did Will learn to play the violin? Was it taped? How did it appear in his bag? He has too many questions.
The camera quality is so high, he feels like he’s participating in the scene. But who is filming it? And why does Will seem to not notice anyone? What kind of otherworldly thing is this?
His mind gets flooded with even more unanswered questions when the scene changes. One of the unknown bullies steals a bow from Will.
Mike does not recognize that person. Maybe it happened in California? But Will’s haircut seems too odd. He does not have his usual bowl cut. Instead he has a shag. Mike is pretty sure Will has never had a shag in his life.
-
The tape goes on. Will is trying to find his bow. He goes to different parts of school but his efforts are futile. Until he enters the gym. It is mostly empty. There’s only one person, climbing a rock wall.
“Hey,” Will says but the boy cannot hear him. So he speaks up. “Hey.”
This time the boy notices him and starts to descend with the help of a rope.
-
Mike’s jaw drops in disbelief. The boy standing in front of Will is him. Well, not him but some kind of version of him. His hair is all messy, similar to his own. But there is something different from his real self. His expression doesn’t change when seeing Will.
-
“Can I help you?” Mike asks softly.
Will appears nervous and caught off guard at the same time. He opens his mouth to speak but fails two times. Third time’s the charm, so he gets around to saying something.
“Um… I am looking for a bow. Have you by any chance seen it?” He says it so fast that Mike has to think for a moment before answering.
“Bow like in the bowtie, or…?” He stops for a moment. His expression changes. He seems to realize what’s happening. “Wait, you are in the choir right? You must be looking for a bow for your violin.”
Will is amazed by Mike’s deduction. He’s also somehow ashamed that Mike knows him.
-
Mike pauses the tape, not knowing what to think about what he just saw.
What the hell is this? Is this some kind of joke? How could this be on a tape when none of it is real?
He pulls at his hair to clear his mind but it doesn’t help. His head is pounding, trying to receive answers. No matter how hard he tries, he can’t find the explanation to what is going on with him. So he does the only thing he thinks will help. He resumes the video.
-
“Yes, Connor stole it from me and I can’t find it.” Will says on screen, looking nervous.
“Is that what you’re looking for?” Mike looks up and points at the top of the rock wall he was climbing minutes ago.
Will looks in the same direction and sighs with relief. But it soon changes with the worry on his face. “I can’t reach it.”
Will’s voice is shaky. His cheeks flush. His lip quivers a bit. Mike can see that he is about to cry.
“Good thing I know how to climb walls.” He says enthusiastically, trying to cheer Will up.
Before Will can answer, Mike is already climbing the rock with so much speed, Will is worried that he could injure himself. He is very good at it, touching small rocks only for a moment before moving to the next one. He’s on top of the wall in no time.
“Tadaa,” Mike takes the bow triumphantly and smiles at Will from above. “I’ve got it.”
Will is very grateful and doesn’t know what to do. He can’t stand still. As soon as Mike’s feet touch the ground, Will runs towards him and hugs the boy with all his power.
Mike startles, not expecting it but hugs him back enthusiastically. His face is flushed.
“Thank you.” Will says, still hugging Mike.
“No problem.” He pats Will's shoulder. “You should stay away from Connor. He’s a jerk.”
-
Mike gets the urge to protect this version of Will at all costs as well. But maybe he already is. At least, his other version is.
So even if they don’t meet in the kindergarten they still manage to find one another? Is that what the tape is trying to show him? That Will is a part of his journey no matter what?
He looks at the screen where the boys are pulling back from the hug, both of their cheeks red.
-
“I’m Mike by the way.” Mike moves his right hand in front of Will.
“Will Byers.” He shakes Mike’s hand, reddening even more.
“If you ever need help, feel free to find me. I’m usually here every day after school.” Mike doesn’t hesitate to offer Will his help. “Are you going to practice some more?”
Will glances at him with a question. He is struggling to trust this boy.
“No,” he finally speaks. “I was packing my stuff. So I’ll be heading home.”
“On foot?” Mike wants to know more details. Will just nods.
Before Will can say something, Mike is getting rid of the climbing gears.
“What are you doing?” Will can’t stop himself from asking all the questions.
“Walking you home.” Mike says nonchalantly.
“What? Why?” Will is surprised but shy all of a sudden. So he ducks his head and looks at the floor intensely.
“Don’t want Connor to run into you again.” Mike says instantly. “Besides, we’ve been going to the same school for so long and we don’t even know each other. So I am taking my chance.”
-
Mike is amazed at how straightforward this version of himself is. He gets glued to the screen, wanting to know what happens next. He doesn’t pay attention to the voices upstairs, or the ringing of the phone. He needs to watch the tape to the end.
So he sits up on the sofa, placing a pillow on his lap to hug something.
-
Mike walks Will home. They become friends in no time. They spend time after practice together. Mike attends open rehearsals to watch Will and encourage him. Will supports Mike when he has some kind of tournament.
One day, Will accepts Mike’s offer to try rock climbing. That’s how he ends up standing in the gym in shorts. Mike’s breath hitches. He swallows hard.
“I’m here.” Will comes across as happy to try something new. He stretches his limbs before he stops in front of Mike.
Mike looks at him awestruck for a moment before pulling himself together and speaking. “So I think it’s better for you to try rope climbing rather than bouldering as your first time. But if you get interested, I can walk you through bouldering as well.”
“Sorry, but I have no idea what the difference between them is.” Will laughs edgily.
Mike’s face lights up seeing Will smile at him. He smiles back.
“I’ll teach you everything, don’t worry.” He cocks his head.
Will walks closer to the harness.
“So, first things first, you need to be safe. So step into these loops.” Mike points at the harness and Will does as he’s told.
Mike pulls the strap around Will’s waist to tighten it. Will stops breathing. He becomes a bit lightheaded. Mike looks equally affected by their situation. Mike attaches the rope to the front of the harness with a belay and pulls it to check if it’s properly attached.
“Does this feel okay?” Mike’s voice is strained. He is so close to Will that he can feel the boy's breath on his face.
“Mmh.” Will only manages to let out a strange sound.
"It takes some getting used to and does feel like a diaper at first, but you’ll forget you’re even wearing it in no time.” Mike tries to clear his head. So he blurts out all the facts he knows. “I also brought you my old climbing shoes. You can wear them with socks but the foot-to-shoe contact is very important.” Mike bends down to give Will his shoes.
Will quickly puts them on, trying not to think about the fact that Mike used to wear the same pair over and over again for maybe years.
“They are a bit tight.” He states a fact and immediately feels ashamed. “Sorry, you offered me your shoes and I’m being disrespectful.”
Mike just smiles at him widely. “No, that’s how they’re supposed to fit. So there’s no space and you feel everything with your feet.”
“Really? I have not thought about it.” Will begins fidgeting with his fingers.
“You didn’t have to.” Mike blurts. He stands there awkwardly for a moment before putting on a harness as well and belaying himself to the same rope. “So, I will actually be staying down here. In case you fall, I’ll catch you.”
“Catch me?” Even Will’s ears get red imagining the situation.
“I meant, not letting you fall. The rope will actually catch you.” Mike clears his throat. He is the same shade of red on his cheeks as Will. “You should try to climb it and fall to get used to it. Also you’ll feel safer that way.”
“It honestly doesn’t sound safe.” Will gets nervous about the idea of him falling down. He subconsciously brings his left hand to his mouth and bites his nails.
“We can use auto-belay if you don’t trust me. That’s fine with me.” Mike tries to say it nonchalantly but Will can tell he is hurt.
-
Mike watches the screen mesmerized by the auto-belay. He has never seen something like that. Maybe he doesn’t know a lot of things about rock climbing, but he knows enough. They don’t have it in Hawkins. Hell, they don’t have that anywhere. So how’s the machine there if it doesn’t exist? How will it be able to catch Will?
He wants to know more about these instruments, so he keeps on watching.
-
“Of course I trust you.” Will aches to hug Mike who looks like a kicked puppy. “But I’d rather have you next to me to teach everything better.”
“Okay, we can do that.” Mike’s face lights up. He spends several minutes changing the hooking system. “Before you begin climbing, make sure you are using your legs as much as your arms. If your forearms get too tired, that’s okay. You are not used to it. You can have them straightened to decrease the pressure.” He pauses for a moment, trying to think of more tips. “Oh, and don’t forget to plant your feet firmly. Your balance center should be still in the middle of your body. So your hips are very important. Get it?”
“I think, yeah,” Will says tremulously. “Can you show me what I should do?”
“Sure, but you should trust your instincts. Here’s chalk, you should apply a thin layer on your palms and fingers for a better grip.” He instructs Will to use chalk.
Will goes to the bowl filled with chalk and begins applying it to his hands as Mike instructed.
“That’s not nearly enough. Add more.” Mike corrects him. “But don’t put too much.”
Will struggles with the instructions. So Mike reaches over to help. His rough chalky hands slide against Will’s soft skin. Will stops breathing from the intensity of the moment.
“Okay, that’s it.” Mike swallows to clear his throat. He seems lost. “Let me double-check the harness.”
He reaches out to double-check the knot at Will’s waist. His knuckles brush against Will’s stomach. It’s through the layer of a t-shirt but doesn’t matter for Will. He stiffens from the contact. He feels too hot. He knows for sure that his whole face is as red as a tomato.
“Is…” Will stutters. Maybe his total body is shaking. “Is everything good?” He succeeds in saying.
“Yeah.” Mike coughs. His throat feels like he'd swallowed a handful of the climbing chalk.
Some time passes as Mike shows Will what to do. Will tries his best not to fall while climbing the wall. He slowly gets better. At some point he even starts chatting with Mike.
“You are doing amazing, Will.” Mike can’t help praising him. “I think you’ll take my spot soon if you keep on practicing.”
“Oh, shut up.” Will blushes. “You know about my devotion to violin, don’t you?”
“But you can manage both. You are amazing.” Mike bites his lower lip as soon as the words slip out of his mouth. He can’t look at Will directly.
Will’s blush darkens. Maybe those words give him some kind of courage. Or maybe adrenaline clouds his judgment. He asks a very bold question, he's been dying to know the answer. “Your voice sounds different when you talk to me. Why?”
Mike’s grip slips and he almost falls. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve heard how you talk to your family and friends. Your voice changes when I’m with you.” Will is ashamed of his previous question right away.
“Really?” Mike’s voice is shaky. “I haven’t realized it.”
Will, trying to escape the conversation that he started, climbs up but slips and falls. The rope saves him but that doesn’t change the fact that Mike releases his grip as well. He immediately rushes down to Will, worried.
“Will, are you okay?” His expression is filled with care.
They are standing only a foot apart. Mike grabs his shoulder and leans toward him. He closes the remaining distance.
“I’m…” Will can’t speak. He feels Mike’s breath on his face. It’s intoxicating. “Yeah, thanks.” He has a lump in his throat.
Time passes. None of them move away. If anything, they move even closer. Mike is looking at Will intensely. His gaze travels on Will’s face, stopping at his lips.
“You wanted to know the reason?” He murmurs, his eyes never leaving his lips.
Will has no time to ask him what he means. The space between them disappears as Mike leans forward inch by inch. Their noses touch. Will gathers courage and covers the remaining distance, joining their lips.
The kiss is everything and nothing like they have imagined before. It does not last long but when they separate, both of them are panting, breathing heavily.
“Mike, I…” Will tries to speak so that the situation doesn’t become awkward.
“That’s my answer.” Mike cuts him off gently. “I like you, Will. and I hope you like me back.” Mike becomes anxious. His gaze drops to the floor.
“I like you, Mike,” Will says, his voice squeaky with excitement.
“You do?” Mike slowly lifts his head to look at Will, still uncertain.
“Mike... I'm terrified of heights. I only came here to see you. ” Will laughs breathlessly and Mike can’t resist joining him.
-
Mike needs to take a break, so he stops the tape. He is flooded with a lot of different emotions simultaneously.
He stands up. Blood rushes to his head and he feels lightheaded. He goes to the kitchen to drink water and think about what he just saw.
A version of him and Will kissed in front of him. How was that possible? How was the other Mike braver than him? What did it mean? Was this some kind of punishment for not being brave enough himself? For only flirting with Will during those eighteen months and their final DnD campaign? Was there still a chance to do more than flirt? Did it mean that Will liked him back? Or was he just delusional, looking for answers in other people’s lives?
Was this tape showcasing the different versions of their lives? What could have been if they hadn’t known each other from kindergarten?
Maybe finishing the tape will have answers? Or he’ll be left with even more unanswered questions?
He needs to know more. He needs to be brave at least about it. So he gathers courage and reenters the basement, hoping to get some answers.
To his dismay, the tape ends in just two minutes. The final cut just has the number “372” written on the black background.
“What the actual fuck?” He curses. “This can’t be it.”
He has no time to react more. He hears a doorbell and some muffled voices. Then his mother calls him.
“Mike, are you down?”
“Yes.” He yells and grabs the VHS tape in record time.
He hears footsteps closer to the basement so he hides the tape under the cushions of the sofa. He feels like a criminal. His heart is beating frantically.
Mike tries to sit still like he wasn't doing anything. He hears footsteps down the stairs and expects to see his mother. But instead he sees Will - his Will.
“Hi, Mike.” Will smiles at him shyly.
“Will.” Mike practically jumps from the sofa to hug Will.
“Mike.” Will whispers happily in his ear and hugs him back.
Mike can’t resist comparing his Will to the other version. It’s strange that almost everything feels the same. Will is this sweet boy in every version of himself.
“I was not expecting to see you today.” Mike can’t hide his surprised face as he pulls back.
“Ouch, thanks.” Will laughs. “I can go back to my parents.”
“Are you kidding?” Mike becomes frantic instantly. “That’s a nice surprise that doesn’t happen often to me. Today is filled with surprises, I guess.” He whispers the last words to himself. But Will still hears it.
“What has happened?” He sounds genuinely interested.
“Nothing.” Mike blushes as soon as he lies to Will. “Happy to see you, Will. I missed you.”
“Me too.” Will seems to let go of what Mike has said.
Mike sighs with relief. He needs time to think about the tape before he shows it to Will. Or maybe he won’t show it to him at all. He hasn’t decided yet.
“Actually, I wanted to show you something.” Will bites his lip nervously when Mike peeks at him.
“Really? What?” Mike seems intrigued. “Do you have it with you?”
“Yes, one moment.” Will grabs his backpack and opens it. He tries to find something before nervously pulling something out. “I have no idea what this is. I know it looks strange but I really have nothing to do with it. I was surprised when I found it.” He speaks so fast, Mike needs some time to catch.
“Geez, Will, breathe. Can you show me what you’re talking about?” Mike feels like he already knows what Will is going to show him. But he is still shocked when Will hands him a VHS tape.
It feels the same. It even has the same words written, but with slightly different calligraphy. It almost looks like he wrote it. But some letters are written a bit differently.
“What? Where did you find it?” Mike is still shocked.
“You are asking this question like you know what that is.” Will glances at him curiously. “I found it in my closet when I was unpacking.”
“It looks like my writing. How is that possible?” Mike speaks to himself.
“I don’t know.” Will shrugs, confused. “I watched it and it does not make sense.”
Mike clears his throat before speaking. So he has no time to think about the tape. He should tell the truth. So he just bends down to grab his own tape and handing it to Will.
“I found it in my duffle 2 hours ago.” Mike shrugs.
Will grabs the tape and investigates it carefully. He looks confused.
“That’s my handwriting when I try too hard. But I have never seen it before.” He is trying to connect some dots in vain. “Did you watch it?”
“I just finished it.” Mike admits. “Was your tape the same? You being a violinist and me being a climber?” He looks up at Will curiously.
“Yes.” Will gets nervous right away. He scratches his neck instinctively. “I have no idea what this is.”
“Maybe there are other versions of us?” Mike tries to come up with the logical explanation.
“But why did the tapes show up to us?” Will can’t help but ask more questions.
“I have no idea.” Mike lies.
He has a theory that he can’t share with Will. Not yet at least.
Maybe these tapes are there to give him some courage to ask Will out, to admit about his feelings. Or they’re there to torture him with the knowledge of what he could have had if he was braver.
“Okay, maybe we should think about them tomorrow. It’s already late and I wanna know everything that I’ve missed in your life.” He beams with joy when Will smiles at the proposition.
“I don’t know Mike, it could take a while. And it’s already late.” He is unsure.
“So?” Mike raises his brow. “I’ll call Joyce and let her know that you’re staying over.”
Will blushes at the idea of Mike solving a problem in seconds. He notices a familiar mattress and drags it near the sofa. Meanwhile Mike wastes no time and calls Joyce with the basement phone.
Will sits down comfortably on the mattress, taking off his baseball jacket. Mike joins him shortly. Will expects him to sit on the couch but instead he chooses to sit next to Will. They are so close, their knees are touching.
“It’s strange, coming back here after so long.” Will begins without any restraint. “So much has happened here.”
“Yes, it brings back great memories.” Mike glances at him and smiles.
“Last thing I remember is you crawling with those stupid vampire teeth. You were so cheesy.” Will laughs lightheartedly.
“When did you become so mean, Will?” Mike tries to look hurt but is beaming with excitement. “You have to admit it was at least a bit hot.”
“Hot?” Will can’t hold his smile. “Were you trying to be hot?” He teases Mike.
“Wow, rude.” Mike raises his eyebrow playfully. “Then what do you consider hot?”
Will blushes at that question and Mike wants nothing more than to wrap his arms around him and kiss him stupid.
“I don’t know but not that.” He blurts.
“Come on, Sorcerer. You have to be more specific than that.” Mike seems to have no restraint after watching his other self being brave. Maybe a little bravery won’t kill him either?
Still, he is not expecting to reach that topic in no time.
Will wants to answer that calling him Sorcerer is very hot, but decides against it.
“Um… standing up to someone and believing in them even if the other person doesn’t believe in themselves.” It sounds more like a question than a definite answer.
“Has anyone made you feel that way in college?” Mike winces as soon as he asks it. “Has my prophecy come true?”
Mike gets anxious and can’t look Will in the eyes. He is too afraid to hear the positive answer to his question. His leg jitters. Will seems to notice it immediately. He places a hand on Mike’s knee and he relaxes instantly.
“No.” Only one word is enough for Mike to sigh with relief. He hadn’t realized he’d stopped breathing before Will answers. “I think the DM is a big liar.” Will jokes.
“What is with your need to insult me today?” Mike grabs his shirt near his heart dramatically, looking hurt.
“Stop it, Mike. You’re such an idiot.” Will shoves Mike’s chest playfully.
Mike loses his balance. He is sprawled out on the mattress in no time. Will can’t help laughing. But he also looks concerned.
“You’ve become mean, Will Byers.” Mike sticks with his dramatic performance.
“Are you alright?” Will looks genuinely concerned. He leans toward Mike to check on him. His eyes widen, hazel parts showing worry.
“I am just offended that the Sorcerer doesn’t respect his DM.” Mike pops on his elbows, looking up at Will through his lashes. Will holds his breath.
“The sorcerer is free to make his own decisions.” He doesn’t back down. “Besides, what about the DM? How is he?”
“College is boring.” Mike sighs. “I wish we went together. It would be so much more interesting.”
“You can always switch?” Will suggests. “If you are so bored. Have you at least made some friends? Or found a love interest?” Will winces at the last words.
“I like my roommate David.” Mike sits up again. This time he is even closer to Will than before. Their legs are pressed together. “And I don’t need to find any love interests.” Because I’ve already found one - he wants to add but doesn’t.
Will thinks it’s because of Jane. So he tries to change the subject. He doesn’t want them to become all teary. He carries Jane’s memories and pain with him all the time. That’s why he tried to move on from Mike. But it feels impossible when Mike is like that - clingy and affectionate. And Will can admit to himself - he looked really hot with those vampire teeth. Will was buzzing during that session of DnD.
“Have you played DnD after that?” That’s what he asks to grab Mike’s attention.
“How could I? It would feel like a betrayal to you guys.” Mike looks offended.
Will should have known better. Of course Mike is loyal to everything and everyone he has in his heart. That’s why he hadn’t moved on from Jane even a year-and-a-half after her vanishing. Maybe he will never be able to move on?
“Why are you so quiet?” Mike shoves an elbow to Will’s side playfully.
“I was thinking.” Will admits sadly.
“What’s with the pout? Did I say something wrong?” Mike panics. His hands begin to shake.
“Mike, it’s nothing, really.” Will tries to calm him down so he grabs his hands.
Mike’s hands are warm. He wants to intertwine their fingers together but can’t. Mike will kick him out if he tries to.
Who is he kidding? Maybe he will not kick him out but he will politely turn him down, telling him he’s not like Will. And it will be even worse.
“Will, please tell me if it’s about me.” Mike stares at him earnestly.
Of course it’s about Mike. But how can he ever say it?
“No, it’s just my cruel mind and imagination. Don’t worry, really.” Will tries to laugh to lighten the mood.
They stay up late, talking about everything they’ve missed about each other. They don’t even realize how they fall asleep, curled around each other in their sleep.