WILL POV-

----Thursday 10:21 PM ----

After Joyce heard about what Lonnie had done, she promptly kicked him out screaming obscenities, telling him never to step foot near her son again or else. Also knowing how gloomy Will was, she let him sleep not forcing him to go to classes if he wasn't in the right state of mind, yet periodically checking on him; leaving food and water out. Applying cream to his bruise, the swelling increased as expected, worse than what she initially imagined; wishing she had taught Lonnie a lesson before kicking him out.

Now the chestnut-haired boy sat in a restaurant with his friends; attempting to keep his spirits up after telling them everything that happened the previous days, he remained quiet the whole day, waking up pass noon, at almost 3PM his eyes awoke, asleep for over twelve hours dehydrated and emotionally drained. He woke up to the sight of his three-friends standing over him like some sort of human sacrifice, still wearing his wig and outfit, Dustin and Max snickered liking this new design for Will, sure it was weird, but they saw the vision.

His friends suggested a way to take his mind off it. This was the best idea; food and alcohol. Bringing him to the current situation he was in now

"Can I have another bottle please?" Will raised a hand grabbing the attention of a waiter

"Aren't you drinking a bit much Will?" Max questioned slurring her words; the same amount of drunk as he was

"I've only had a few" Will chuckled back hiccupping, lifting a hand over the table tapping the hands of the redhead.

"Have as much as you feel you want Will! Remember this is all on me" El said as the waiter rushed over placing the bottle on the table, El quietly thanked him.

"Will?" She added

"Hmm?" Will lifted his head up taking another shot

"This is a fun day for you, to forget all your stress, everything will be better... I promise" The brunette cheered, holding a hand to her heart

"Really? Because I have a feeling it's just gonna get worse" Will muttered under his breath

"Don't stress! I'm sure your boyfriend will make it better" Max winked, El nudged her side

"He's the problem" The chestnut-haired boy mumbled

"I mean look at me- El helps me feel better" The redhead joked laying her whole-body weight on the brunette, almost stumbling the pair to the floor

"Must be nice" Dustin sighed, his girlfriend broke up with him a few years ago, taking a bite of his meal

"Don't be jealous!" Max joked

"I'm not jealous, being in a relationship isn't all that good" Dustin pouted crossing his arms

"You're right its horrible, and I can drink to that" the chestnut-haired boy, raised the glass to his mouth taking another swig

"C'mon Will it can't be that bad?" El questioned

"It's worse than bad, its double bad" Will hiccupped

"At least you have a relationship" Dustin retorted

"Dustin!" Will exclaimed, shocking the whole table; holding the curly haired boy's hands in his

"If you want a relationship, you can take Mike, cause I really don't how to deal with him anymore" Will pleaded keeping his words consistent as possible. Raising both arms in the air as if passing a weight over.

"Why must you insult me this way?" Dustin pouted, shaking his head. The intoxicated Will mistook the boy's drunken whines for real sadness

"Are you sad? Cause its gonna make me cry!" Will bawled into his hands,

"What? don't cry, cause then I'll start too" Dustin sniffled looking at him tears falling from his eyes; wrapping arms around one another. The redhead watched them, a tear slipping from her eye too

"Max! Why are YOU crying?" El reacted scrunching her whole face

"It's just soo sweet" She shouted at the top of her lungs jumping up to join the boys' enveloping both into a hug. El although intoxicated herself was the least drunk of the group, placing a hand on her face shaking her head. Rubbing her eyes just waiting for the trio to be done

MIKE POV-

---- 12:32 AM ----

The ravenette on the other hand sat alone at home, obsessing over Will not attending university today nor his job at Scoops Ahoy. He was annoyed, just wanting Will to tell him the truth, to stop lying to him. He typed on his computer typing the chestnut-haired boy's essay onto a Word document. After the previous days fight in his office, Mike fished through the garbage, assembling the pieces of the essay together like some sort of jigsaw, His eyes remained fastened on the screen, reading Will's essay for the first time coherently, it was spectacular just as he had expected. Almost feeling a pit in his stomach not hearing from Will today, knowing that he was the reason the chestnut-haired boy hadn't come to classes today; a gnawing feeling as if something bad might've happened, His phone buzzed, seeing the name on screen he hesitated allowing it to ring for a moment hovering his finger over Will's picture pressing accept.

"Hey Mike!" the voice from the other side slurred

"Umm hey?" He answered confused of the boy's chipper mood

"So, like... I don't think I'm gonna be able to come to English tomorrow" Will hit his head while speaking

"Will you're drunk! Go to sleep" The ravenette spat back

"I'm- I'm not drunk... I can walk in a straight line... see" Mike could only hear rustling from the other side, knowing Will was definitely hammered trying to show him proof while on an audio call

"Yes! Yes, that's great Will! But you see I'm very bu-" The ravenette attempted to end the call, confused

"HOW DARE YOU?" Will shouted from the other side

"What did you just say to me?" Mike's eyes widened, feeling a hint of anger he shuffled in his seat

"Not you Mike!" Will shook his head

"This goddamn pigeon stole my bread- give that back! Tsk" He explained

"Why are you fighting a pigeon?" The ravenette questioned furrowing his eyebrows

"He started it, I was just minding my business on the swing and this little fucker came out of nowhere like Batman. Gimme that back- AHHH" Will struggled before the phone cut off, Mike remained confused, he didn't know what to do or where Will was. Taking a deep breath calling the number again only getting no response, slamming the phone down he knew he had to look for Will knowing he could be hurt especially in his intoxicated state. Mike needed to find him, jumping up not even grabbing his jacket going over to his car. He buckled his seat, patrolling the roads, knowing that Will was probably close by to town square. Expanding his reach as the minutes passed, eventually finding Will's wallet on the floor outside the entrance of the park, he walked in fearing the worst.

Using his phone to dial the number, hearing a ringtone jingle come from the distance Mike followed the sound, leading him to the play area, the place Will said he was attacked by the bird. He called Will again passing by a ringing phone, looking toward it, hearing someone hum the ringtone, the boy lay atop a picnic table, his feet dangling off the edge

"Will? WILL?" Mike panicked running over

"Will wake up. Is everything okay?" The ravenette repeated, using a hand to gently wake the small boy

"Oh, hi Mike... You found me! Now it's your turn to hide and I'll seek, okay?" the smaller boy joked his eyes half closed. Mike's eyes softened, watching the small boy attempting to get off the table but fail

"I think you should be sitting for now" Mike chuckled, advising Will to sit comfortably

"But I want to seek" Will pouted; crossing his arms like a child put on time out.

"How much have you had to drink?" Mike questioned raising an eyebrow

"Just- just a little bit" Will made a hand motion, giggling

"Whatever, I'll take you home" Mike rolled his eyes, knowing he was lying about his level of intoxication

"But I don't want to" Will resisted slinking back to lie down. Mike instead pulling him close resting the chestnut-haired boy's head on his shoulder

"Are you- Are you the real Mike?" the small boy grasped the ravenette's face, softly tapping his cheeks, poking his dimples

"I can assure you I am the real Mike" Mike joked.

"But the real Mike hates me, he wouldn't come here" The chestnut-haired boy explained

"I don't hate you" Mike admitted

"Mhm he said it, in this ear" Will explained pointing to his left, Mike couldn't really see under the darkness

"He didn't mean it; He likes you too much... that's his problem" Mike diffused the situation telling Will his true feelings

"Can I tell you something fake Mike?" Will questioned placing a hand on Mike's shoulder

"I'm Will" He added

"I know your name" Mike replied

"No, I'm Will Woodland and Will Byers" His voice broke, bursting into tears

"I know, it's okay" Mike pet the head of the smaller boy waiting for his breathing to calm, lifting him from the bench carrying him to his car. Placing him down, Will flopped down on the seat. Mike placed the seatbelt over his body looking at his face, noticing the bruise prominent on his skin: around his eye; a deep purple reflecting off the pale face of the chestnut-haired boy.

"Did you get hurt? How did you get that bruise?" Mike panicked hoping he didn't hurt Will while transporting him

"I can't say" Will looked away

"Why not?" Mike frowned, knowing this could be worse than he thought

"My dad said to keep it a secret" Will muttered

"Did your Dad do this to you?" Mike whispered placing a hand on Will's

"Shhh! don't tell him" Will said quietly

"Does your dad normally do this?" Mike asked looking down at his hands, feeling awful, knowing the way he had been treating Will perhaps brought back painful memories. Waiting for his answer he looked back up seeing the small boy hesitantly mumble something incoherent replaced by soft snores. The ravenette tenderly smiled gently closing the door, walking to the other side to drive him home. The ride enveloped in an aura of peace as Mike periodically watched over the smaller boy, thinking of how hurt and confused he must have been this past week. He felt angry at Will's father for doing this to an innocent boy. But Mike knew he wasn't perfect either, afraid of shattering his ego he mistreated the chestnut-haired boy to protect himself from liking someone who was lying to him.

This past week he desperately tried to see the worst in Will, pick out some flaw, but he couldn't do it. The only thing stopping him from telling the real Will Byers he wanted him was his own pride. Mike shook his head seeing the Byers household come into view. Fishing the keys out the smaller boy's pockets, he unlocked the door carrying him inside bridal style. Laying him on his bed, he took off Will's shoes placing any loose items on the nightstand. He was about to leave but turned around, coming close to Will's face.

"Good night, Will Byers" Mike whispered kissing the forehead of the younger boy walking out the room to his car. 

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1985 Words

I'm bringing nice Mike back!

Stay Safe <3