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Mike Wheeler walked into the dorm room he shared with his best friend Will Byers, a frustrated huff escaping his lips as he tossed his bag onto the nearest chair.
Will had been sitting in the same position on the floor for nearly an hour, focused on getting the shading just right on his latest piece for art class. He jumped at the sound, startled as his pencil slipped from his fingers. Looking up, he saw Mike standing there, shoulders tense and expression clearly distraught.
“Mike? What’s wrong?” Will pushed himself up from the floor and stepped closer, placing a hand on Mike’s forearm and giving it a gentle squeeze.
Will had always been an incredibly supportive best friend to Mike. They had grown up together, best friends since kindergarten, and had been through more together than most people ever would. Somehow, they had ended up at the same university, Mike majoring in English and Will in Art.
They were always there for each other, instinctively knowing how to help when the other truly needed it. Will was especially grateful for Mike during the nights when nightmares dragged him awake or when school stress became overwhelming. Mike always knew exactly what to say, how to ground him, how to make him feel safe.
Over the years, Will had fallen for him.
It wasn’t something he had planned. It just happened. He had liked Mike for as long as he could remember, ever since he first understood what a crush was. While their classmates talked about girls, all Will could think about was Mike and when their next sleepover would be.
He knew Mike liked girls. He knew those feelings would never be returned. So he did what he had always done best and swallowed everything down, forcing himself to move on.
It felt almost impossible to avoid now. Will loved sharing a dorm with him, but being in such close proximity meant Mike was always there. He had to remind himself to breathe normally when they sprawled across Mike’s bed watching TV or flipping through one of Mike’s graphic novels.
He had to pretend his heart didn’t race when they’d fall asleep together, limbs tangled, Mike pressed flush against him and lips pressed to his neck. Or when Mike brought home takeout and they sat on the floor by the TV, knees brushing, shoulders leaning into each other.
He had to act like none of it affected him the way it did.
But the truth was, Mike’s presence alone was enough to send his heartbeat spiraling. The way he smiled at Will like no one else existed, or the comforting weight of his hand moving slowly up and down Will’s back during hugs or quiet moments of closeness.
Best friends do these things, right?
He had to remind himself that Mike would never see him as more than a friend. And yet, in those quiet, close moments, it always felt like maybe, just maybe, Mike might feel the same. The way he touched him, the easy closeness, the way his voice softened whenever he spoke to Will, the gentleness threaded through every interaction.
Mike didn’t treat any of their other friends that way. Will had noticed, and selfish as it felt, he was glad.
It made him feel special.
He wouldn't let the way he felt ruin the incredible friendship they had. Even if it killed him inside every time Mike hooked up with another girl and he had to hear about it, or worse, see it.
Mike’s body sank against him, immediately wrapping his arms around Will’s waist and nuzzling his nose into the crook of his neck. “Just need you.”
Will frowned slightly as he returned the embrace, pulling Mike even closer as his hand moved slowly up and down his back in a comforting motion. “I’m here,” He said gently. “Not going anywhere.”
His heart sank as he held him. Mike had been overwhelmed with school lately, and Will could always tell when it finally caught up to him. They always ended up like this, clinging to each other until one of them felt better, then ordering takeout and watching some trashy show or movie together.
Will continued to hold him close, his fingers tracing slow circles over the fabric of Mike’s t-shirt. Mike rested easily against him, his lips brushing faintly against the crook of Will’s neck, sending a shiver across his skin.
He couldn’t think about how the simplest touch sent him spinning. He couldn’t. This was Mike, his best friend, who clearly needed him in a strictly friend kind of way. That was all.
Mike pulled back just enough to look at him, eyes heavy with sadness but lit with something softer, almost curious. “Hey, Will. Can I ask you something?”
Will kept his hands on Mike’s lower back, their bodies still pressed together. They had always been touchy like this, so it was nothing out of the ordinary. Still, it was getting harder and harder to pretend it didn’t affect him.
How was he ever supposed to get over him? Will didn’t think he ever would for as long as he lived.
“What is it?” Will lifted one hand, gently brushing a curl away from Mike’s forehead. God, he was beautiful.
Mike leaned into the touch, his expression softening as his hand came up to rest over Will’s that was still resting on his lower back, giving it a small squeeze. He took a steadying breath. “Have you, um… do you,” He stammered, cheeks flushing. “Do I look like I’d be a bad kisser?”
Will’s eyes widened. He had not expected that. He tried to speak, but nothing came out. Instead, his gaze betrayed him, dropping to Mike’s lips, pink and soft and painfully inviting.
He had imagined it before, what it would be like to kiss him, like a starving man finally getting what he needed. He was sure Mike would taste incredible, and if they ever did kiss, Will knew he would not be able to stop.
But asking Will if he looked like a bad kisser? That alone was enough to throw him completely off balance. Will stared at Mike, brows furrowing as he tried to figure out what to say. He was pretty much speechless at this point.
“Mike… what? Why are you asking me that?”
Mike huffed out a short, humorless laugh, rolling his shoulders before letting them fall. “I don’t know. I just feel like I’m bad at it. It never really goes past kissing, which is fine, but they never seem into it. I’ve had kind of terrible luck lately,” He sighed, quieter this time. “Maybe I’m just overthinking.”
“Well yeah, you are,” Will said gently, his hand still moving in slow, steady circles against Mike’s lower back. “But how would I even know if you’re a bad kisser? I haven’t…” He trailed off, heat creeping into his cheeks as the words settled in. He hadn’t kissed Mike. And he’d thought about it more times than he’d ever admit.
Mike didn’t look away. If anything, his focus sharpened. One eyebrow lifted, a small, teasing smile forming. “Haven’t what, Will?”
“You’re really not gonna let this go, are you?” Will groaned softly, tipping his head forward before meeting Mike’s eyes again. His face felt warm, flushed. “You’re unbelievable.”
Mike’s smile widened, brighter now. Seeing him smile like that made something in Will’s chest ache in the best way. At least he got him to smile after a long, hard day. “Maybe,” He said lightly. “You haven’t what, though?”
Will let out a quiet sigh. There was no avoiding it. “I haven’t kissed you,” He admitted, voice low as he chewed at his bottom lip. His cheeks were burning up, heat creeping against his neck. He wanted to look away from Mike’s face, but he couldn’t. He needed to see how Mike reacted to this.
Something shifted in Mike’s expression, a glint of something curious, something intent. He leaned in just slightly. “What if we fixed that?”
Will’s eyes widened. For a second, he wasn’t sure he’d heard Mike correctly.
“W-what?” His heart slammed against his ribcage, loud enough that he was certain Mike could hear it.
Mike’s lips curved into a faint smirk, his gaze dipping to Will’s mouth before lifting back to his eyes. Holy shit. Mike Wheeler was flirting with him and looking at his lips. Even worse, he was suggesting they kiss. Will couldn’t move, frozen in place like his body had forgotten how.
“Yeah, why not?” Mike said easily. “Maybe you could give me some pointers. Let me know what I could improve on.”
He said it so casually, like this wasn’t completely undoing Will. Like it wasn’t affecting him at all.
Will’s thoughts scattered, his brain short-circuiting. Truthfully, he’d grown more confident since starting college. He still had his moments, but he wasn’t the same shy kid he’d been back in Hawkins.
Seeing Mike with other girls still hurt more than he cared to admit, but he’d tried to move on. He’d gone on dates with guys from his classes, even kissed a few of them. It never went beyond that. Still, he was more comfortable with himself now, with who he was and what he wanted.
“I’m sure you’re not a bad kisser, Mike,” Will said, forcing his voice steady. All he could focus on was the frantic rhythm of his heart.
Mike’s lips pulled into a small pout. “Will, please? This could really help me. I’m being serious.” He hesitated, then added softly, “I’ll do anything you want. Just..please?”
He was practically begging now, and it was unfair how cute he looked doing it using his charm on Will that always seemed to work.
Mike almost seemed desperate to be kissed by him.
It made Will feel special, even knowing it wasn’t because Mike wanted him. Not really. Just his advice. That was all, nothing more. It wasn’t like Mike wanted to kiss Will because he actually wanted it.
Will sighed. He always gave in to Mike, no matter what it was. This wasn’t a simple favor, like helping him study or taking over a chore for the week. This was something Will had wanted since they were younger, something that could undo all the work he’d put into trying to get over him the last several years.
He was starting to think he’d never get over Mike as long as he lived, and maybe that was just the way it was meant to be.
“Fine. I’ll do it,” Will said, drawing in a shaky breath. “But only because I care about you, you little shit.”
Mike’s eyes lit up instantly, his smile widening like Will had just handed him the world. “You’re a lifesaver,” He said, voice warm and earnest. “Thank you. Really.”
“But this can’t mess up our friendship, Mike.” Will swallowed hard, forcing himself to meet his gaze, to stay steady. “I mean it. It can’t ruin anything. What we have..it’s too important. Too sacred to lose.”
Mike’s hand lifted without hesitation, coming to rest against the side of Will’s face. His thumb brushed over Will’s cheek, slow and gentle, like it belonged there, like it always had. His eyes never left Will’s. “I promise,” He said quietly. “You’re my best friend.”
And even though that was the truth, what they had always been, it didn’t make the words hurt any less. Not when they were spoken like that. Not when they came from someone Will was so completely, hopelessly in love with.
He can’t believe he just agreed to kiss Mike Wheeler on the fucking mouth.
Will leaned into the touch against his cheek, his skin tingling. He nodded, a small, nervous smile tugging at his lips. “Okay, so, um… when do we start then?” He asked, voice unsteady, his cheeks warming at the thought of Mike’s lips on his. It was something he had dreamt about more times than he’d ever admit.
“I was hoping we could start now,” Mike said brightly, beaming as he pulled his hand away from Will’s face and grabbed onto Will’s hand. “If you’re not busy, of course.”
Will glanced down at his abandoned sketchbook on the floor. He’d been trying to get the drawing just right, but nothing had worked and only added to his frustration. He could finish it later.
Right now, he could use the distraction, any distraction, even if this one might end up wrecking him in the end.
“Y-yeah,” Will said softly, cheeks still flushed and crept down his neck. “That’s fine.”
Mike flashed him a wide grin, tightening his grip on Will’s hand before gently tugging him toward the couch, and Will let himself be led without protest.
They sat down on the couch, knees brushing, bodies angled toward each other. Will’s stomach twisted with a mix of excitement and nerves. This was something he’d always wanted, even if he’d never imagined it happening like this.
“So maybe,” Mike said, a little hesitant, “I could show you how I usually go about it?” Will could tell he was nervous too. Mike chewed at his bottom lip, his knee bumping against Will’s.
Will nodded, swallowing hard as his heart thudded wildly in his chest. “Y-yeah, that’s fine.” His gaze drifted down to Mike’s lips before he could stop himself. They were so pretty. So close. Like they were begging to be kissed.
Holy shit. He was about to kiss Mike Wheeler, his best friend since kindergarten. Will had been waiting for this moment for as long as he could remember.
His body buzzed with nervous energy, a hum he couldn’t quiet anymore. He needed to get his lips on Mike’s before he lost his nerve completely.
Mike leaned closer until their lips were only inches apart, their breath mingling. He glanced down at Will’s lips, then back up to his eyes, a small smile tugging at his mouth. “Just be honest, okay, Byers?”
Will rolled his eyes, a flicker of confidence and impatience breaking through. “Just kiss me already, Wheeler.”
That was all it took.
Mike closed the distance, pressing his lips to Will’s in a soft, tentative kiss. Will’s eyes fluttered shut immediately as he leaned in, kissing him back without hesitation.
Mike’s lips were warm and gentle, tasting faintly of cherry Coke, and Will felt electricity skittering beneath his skin, his hand lifting to Mike’s shoulder just to keep himself grounded. Butterflies swarmed in his stomach, his body feeling light, like he might float away.
He was kissing Mike Wheeler.
He couldn’t fucking believe it.
Mike deepened the kiss just slightly before pulling back, and the sudden loss of contact sent a sharp flicker of disappointment through Will. He could still feel the ghost of Mike’s lips against his own as he opened his eyes.
Mike looked breathless. Beautiful. Completely, unfairly beautiful.
Will didn’t trust himself to speak. He dragged his tongue over his lips, still tasting Mike there, and fuck he might already be addicted.
“Well?” Mike asked, biting his bottom lip, nerves clear in his eyes. “What did you think?”
Right. Feedback.
Because this was just a lesson. Not because Mike actually wanted to kiss him.
“It was… good, but—”
Mike cut him off immediately, words tumbling out like he couldn’t stop them. “But what? Was it bad? Oh god, it was bad, wasn’t it?”
He was clearly spiraling. Will rolled his eyes fondly and nudged Mike’s shoulder with his hand, shaking his head. “No, what the fuck. Mike, it was good. Tame. Sweet.” He nodded to himself as he said it, confidence blooming again in his chest. “But there was one problem.”
Mike lifted an eyebrow, curiosity flickering in his gaze. “What’s that?”
Will flashed him a cheeky grin, leaning in just enough to close the distance between them. “It was way too short. I think you need to come here and kiss me again,” His voice lowered, soft but sure. “This time, don’t hesitate. Kiss me a little more.”
Mike’s lips curved into a wide grin as he grabbed the front of Will’s shirt and pulled him closer, drawing a soft gasp from Will’s mouth. “You don’t have to tell me twice.”
And then the world seemed to fall away as Mike kissed him again deeper this time, more certain, a quiet hunger behind it. Will barely had time to breathe before his eyes fluttered shut and he kissed back just as desperately, urgency blooming between them.
Electricity sparked through Will’s veins as he pressed closer, chest flush against Mike’s, heat seeping into his skin. His heart raced, each beat louder than the last as he followed the movement of Mike’s lips, kissing him back like he was starving. Like he needed this. Like he needed Mike.
Mike let out a breathy sigh against the kiss before tilting his head, deepening it further. One of his hands slid up Will’s neck, fingertips grazing his skin before settling against his cheek, his thumb brushing slow, soothing circles there.
Will melted into the touch, arms lifting to wrap around Mike’s neck, pulling him impossibly closer, so close he could feel Mike’s heartbeat against his chest, racing just as fast as his own.
He tilted his head the opposite way, chasing the kiss, wanting more. When he felt Mike’s tongue brush against his bottom lip, a soft gasp slipped from him before he could stop it, his lips parting instinctively in response.
Mike took the invitation, his tongue meeting Will’s, and the sensation sent a quiet, helpless whimper spilling from Will’s throat.
The sound startled him. Reality crashed back in all at once, and Will pulled away to catch his breath, chest rising and falling rapidly, cheeks flushed with heat and embarrassment. God. He’d gotten ahead of himself. They were supposed to be practicing, for Mike. And he’d just gone and whimpered against his lips. This wasn’t supposed to be for enjoyment purposes.
Full-on, completely pathetic.
He wanted to disappear right then and there. But this was Mike. Mike, who had known him forever. Mike, who wouldn’t judge him for something like that.
Besides, he was the one who’d started this whole mess in the first place.
Will chewed on his bottom lip, heat blooming across his cheeks as he stared at Mike, still dazed. “I–I’m sorry,” He said quickly, biting at his bottom lip again like he couldn’t stop himself.
Mike shook his head immediately, reaching out to take one of Will’s hands where it rested in his lap. He squeezed gently, his thumb tracing slow, grounding circles over the back of it. “You don’t have to apologize for anything,” He let out a shaky laugh, eyes never leaving Will’s. “That was… wow.”
The way he said it only made Will blush harder. Like he was breathless. Mesmerized.
“Good wow?” Will asked, forcing out a nervous laugh, “Or bad wow?”
Mike laughed again, softer this time, and gave his hand another reassuring squeeze before settling their joined hands on Will’s thigh. “Absolutely amazing,” He flashed Will a wide, earnest grin. “Do you have any pointers for me?”
God, dammit.
Will kept forgetting this was supposed to be practice. Why did he keep forgetting that?
Oh. Right. Because he was completely, hopelessly in love with Mike and because he was enjoying this far too much. He knew he’d probably never get another chance to kiss Mike like this, not really, so he was going to savor every second of it while he could.
“Um, yeah, well–” Will stumbled over the words, unsure where to even begin. The truth was, Mike wasn’t a bad kisser. Not even close. Will had only kissed two other guys in his life, but neither of them compared to this. To him.
Was there anything Mike Wheeler couldn’t do? Or maybe Will was just a complete, hopeless fool when it came to him, so far gone that in his eyes, Mike could do no wrong, couldn’t possibly be bad at anything.
“How far were you wanting to take the kiss?” Will asked quietly. The heat in his cheeks crept down his neck as the question left his mouth, feeling his heart thumping quickly in his chest.
Mike chewed on his bottom lip, clearly thinking hard about the question. A faint flush crept across his cheeks, and Will felt his chest tighten at the sight of it because somehow, impossibly, it only made him more adorable.
Why did he have to be so damn perfect?
Will knew it then, with a quiet, sinking certainty settling deep in his chest: he was never going to get over Mike Wheeler. Not really. Not ever.
“I don’t think I really figured it out yet,” Mike said, glancing at Will’s lips. “So… maybe we should keep trying?”
Will could have protested. He could have said that Mike already seemed to know exactly what he was doing. Honestly, it didn’t feel like Mike needed practice at all. Maybe it was just that the girls he’d kissed before didn’t know what a good kisser was.
Because Mike was a damn good kisser.
And Will was already addicted.
He was completely, utterly fucked.
“Y-yeah,” Will said, voice hardly steady at this point. “Okay. Why not?”
He knew it was a bad idea. He knew that. But he couldn’t help himself. How could he say no when his best friend was sitting right in front of him, lips swollen and still shiny and wet from the kiss?
From Will.
He’d done that. He’d made Mike look like that.
The thought sent butterflies exploding in his stomach, but beneath the nerves, beneath the fear, there was something else too. Something warm and dangerous and intoxicating.
He felt empowered.
“Get the fuck over here,” Mike said impatiently, gripping Will’s face with both hands before crashing his lips back onto his.
Will barely had time to breathe. A surprised gasp slipped from him before he kissed back just as hard, hunger and desperation bleeding into every movement.
The kiss was messy at first with teeth knocking, mouths chasing, but when Will tilted his head the other way, it settled into something deeper, steadier, more deliberate.
Their foreheads brushed as Mike kept Will’s face cradled in his hands, thumbs stroking along his cheekbones. Will leaned into the touch, their bodies pressed flush together, his hands sliding up to Mike’s shoulders just to keep himself grounded.
“Fuck, Will,” Mike breathed against his lips. “How do you know how to kiss so damn well?”
Will’s skin tingled with excitement, adrenaline coursing through him until it felt like he was buzzing from the inside out. He couldn’t stop kissing him.
It wasn’t even a want anymore. It was a need.
“I guess I’m just a natural,” Will murmured against Mike’s lips before kissing him again, deeper this time, their mouths moving together in an easy, instinctive rhythm.
Before Will could fully process it, Mike’s hand slid from his cheek, traveling down his side to grip his ass through the denim of his jeans—firm, possessive before hooking behind his thigh and pulling him forward in one effortless motion.
Will broke the kiss with a startled breath, eyes widening as he found himself straddling Mike’s lap on the couch.
They froze there, staring at each other while breathless, flushed, lips swollen from kissing. Will’s heart thundered in his chest. He’d never gone this far with anyone before. Not like this. Not with his best friend. Not with the boy he’d been in love with for as long as he could remember.
Something had shifted. This didn’t feel like lessons anymore.
This was a desperate need. This was pure enjoyment. Not just for Will, but for Mike too.
Will tried to catch his breath, dragging his tongue over his swollen lips before resting his hands against Mike’s chest, feeling his heart race beneath his palms. “Is this… part of the lesson?” He asked quietly.
Mike looked completely dazed. His face was flushed, chest rising and falling unevenly, lips pink and kiss-swollen in a way that made Will’s stomach flip. “What?” He said, blinking like he’d just been pulled back into the room. “I-oh. Um. Yeah. Sure.” He laughed softly, awkward and uncertain, like he wasn’t quite sure what he was agreeing to.
That alone made Will pause. Mike was never like this. He always had something to say, always knew how to fill the silence especially in moments like this.
Will studied his face, heart thudding, hope and fear twisting together in his chest. “Do you want to continue?” He asked, voice careful, like the answer mattered more than he was willing to admit.
Will wanted to continue. He wanted to keep feeling Mike’s lips against his, their bodies pressed together like they belonged there. It was something he’d wanted for so long, for as long as he can remember. He has always been affected by Mike.
If Mike said no now, if he decided he’d gotten whatever he needed out of these so-called lessons, that would be fine. Really. At least Will could say he’d made out with Mike Wheeler once in his life.
But getting over him?
That was going to be impossible.
He already knew he’d probably love Mike for the rest of his life, but now that he knew what his lips felt like, what it was like to have their bodies pressed together, to feel Mike’s breath hitch and quicken between kisses..
There was no going back from that.
Not ever.
Mike nodded slowly, his hands settling at Will’s waist, giving a grounding squeeze to keep him there on his lap. “Yeah, Byers,” he said quietly. “I do. Now get down here and kiss me.”
Will felt like his heart might leap straight out of his chest. A sly grin tugged at his lips before he leaned down and kissed Mike again, harder this time, all restraint slipping away. No holding back.
Mike met him just as eagerly, kissing back with intent, his hands sliding up and down Will’s hips before drifting beneath the fabric of his shirt, fingertips brushing against bare skin. The touch sent a shiver through Will, a soft gasp escaping him against the kiss.
Their mouths moved together with urgency now, desperation threading through every motion. When Mike’s tongue brushed along Will’s bottom lip, Will parted without hesitation, letting him in.
The sensation made his head spin. Will let out another quiet whimper, but this time he didn’t pull away. He didn’t hold back. He stayed exactly where he was, kissing Mike like nothing else existed.
His thoughts dissolved into a hazy blur, his mind filled with nothing but Mike. How close he felt, how right it felt, how impossible it was to think about anything beyond the way Mike’s mouth felt against his.
He needed this. He needed Mike.
Mike’s tongue slipped into Will’s mouth with an ease that made his head spin, like it was instinct, like he’d always known how to do this. A breathy moan escaped Will before he could stop himself, swallowed by the kiss as his body reacted on its own.
He leaned closer, pressing himself more firmly against Mike, chasing the closeness, the connection and needing to feel him there, solid and real beneath him. The sensation sent warmth curling through his chest, every thought narrowing down to Mike and the way he made everything else disappear.
Mike moved his hands up and down Will’s bare sides before gripping tightly onto his waist to push him down onto his lap to create friction.
Will let out a sharp breath against Mike’s mouth, the sound betraying him before he could stop it, and instinctively he pressed closer, chasing the feeling of being held against his body, wanted there.
Mike answered with a broken, breathy moan against the kiss, and it nearly unraveled Will completely.
He’d never heard anything like it from Mike before and never imagined he would. The realization sent warmth flooding through him, dizzy and overwhelming, settling deep in his chest. That he was the one causing it. That Mike sounded like that because of him.
Will felt impossibly lucky in that moment to be the one close enough to hear it, to feel it, to know it was real.
Mike finally pulled back, breathing hard, before pressing soft, lingering kisses along Will’s jaw and down toward his neck. Will’s head tipped back instinctively, giving him space, his breath catching as every touch sent sparks through him.
His heart raced wildly in his chest, his thoughts spinning, his body light with the feeling of it all. He felt almost drunk. On the closeness, on the fact that he had just made out with Mike Wheeler. More than once.
Mike moved his hands down lower to Will’s ass to give it a firm squeeze to keep him in place, which caused Will to push his hips forward in a repeated motion.
Mike’s lips brushed the nape of Will’s neck as his hands held his waist firmly, guiding him closer again against his front. The closeness drew a breathy gasp from Will, his fingers tightening reflexively at Mike’s shoulders just to stay grounded.
Mike’s lips lingered there, warm and deliberate, leaving Will’s skin buzzing in its wake. Sensation rippled through him, unfamiliar and overwhelming in the best way. His tongue swiped across the crook of his neck before parting his lips and sucking gently against his skin, leaving behind a tiny love bite. Will tilted his head back, a soft gasp leaving his lips.
He’d never felt anything like this before and had never imagined he could, especially not with his best friend.
This didn’t feel like lessons anymore.
It felt like something else entirely.
Will pulled back at last, breath unsteady, lips swollen, his face flushed as he opened his eyes and looked down at Mike. He looked just as dazed, just as breathless, like neither of them had quite caught up to what had just happened.
Mike’s eyes flicked to Will’s neck, widening slightly as he noticed the mark he’d left behind that was dark and unmistakable.
Will followed his gaze, heat blooming across his cheeks. “W-what?” He asked softly, still in a hazy daze.
Mike lifted a hand, thumb brushing lightly near the mark, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. “I, uh… I might’ve left something,” He said, with a soft laugh escaping his lips. “Oops.”
There was something almost proud in his expression.
Will had swallowed deeply. “And how exactly am I supposed to explain that to people?”
Mike opened his mouth to speak, then pressed his lips together, hesitating as if the words themselves scared him. His cheeks flushed darker as he exhaled. “I, uh-” He swallowed. “Will, I need to tell you something.”
Will stayed right where he was, still seated on Mike’s lap, his hands resting against Mike’s chest as if they belonged there. His heart was still racing from everything that had just happened, his head spinning, his body warm and buzzing.
“Tell me.” He said softly.
Mike nodded, drawing in a deep breath. “I didn’t… I didn’t actually need kissing lessons.” His fingers twitched, nervous, before his teeth caught his bottom lip. His eyes never left Will’s. “Truth is, I just wanted an excuse to kiss you.”
Will barely had time to register that before Mike continued, voice quiet but devastatingly sincere. “Because I’m hopelessly in love with you. And I have been for years.”
Will’s body went completely still. For a moment, he wasn’t sure he’d heard him right. The words echoed in his head, too big, too impossible to be real.
Mike? His Mike?
The same Mike who’d spent the last year at college kissing girls at parties? The same Mike that Will had watched from across crowded rooms, heart twisting painfully in his chest, pretending it didn’t hurt as much as it did?
This had to be a dream. Or a joke. Or some cruel misunderstanding.
“Mike, shut the fuck up,” Will said weakly, shaking his head, disbelief sharp in his voice. “You’re not making any sense.”
Mike shook his head immediately, urgency flashing across his face. He reached up, gripping Will’s hands where they still rested on his chest, holding onto them like an anchor.
“No, Will. I’m serious,” His voice wavered just slightly. “I’ve been in love with you for as long as I can remember. I was scared of what that meant,” He squeezed Will’s hands tighter. “You mean everything to me. I didn’t want to lose you, didn’t want to ruin what we had. But fuck… I think I’ve loved you since we were kids.”
His expression softened then. He gently intertwined their fingers, pressing their joined hands flat against his own chest, right over his heart, like he needed Will to feel it.
Will’s mind reeled. Looking back, it almost made sense. The way Mike had always been there, how careful he was with him, how he held him through nightmares, how he’d pull Will close during storms and let him fall asleep against his chest without question. The hugs that lingered too long. The quiet way Mike always made space for him and no one else.
Will had always told himself that was just what best friends did.
He had loved Mike in silence for years, swallowing every feeling, locking them away so tightly he’d almost convinced himself they didn’t exist. Because Mike was too important. Too precious to lose.
But knowing Mike had felt the same the entire time?
Will’s heart thundered in his chest, breath catching painfully in his throat. He didn’t know what to say. He wasn’t even sure he could speak.
Mike Wheeler, his best friend, his constant had been in love with him all along.
And suddenly, everything felt terrifyingly, impossibly real.
Will looked down at their fingers intertwined, feeling his heart soaring out of his chest. This whole time Mike had felt the same exact way and he had absolutely no idea. They could’ve done this ages ago instead of dancing around each other.
But timing was everything and maybe this is was finally their time.
Will let out a shaky breath, his chest rising and falling unevenly. “Mike… you have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to hear you say that,” His voice trembled just slightly, but he kept going. “I’ve loved you since the day I met you. Since I even knew what having a crush was. Since forever.”
His eyes became glassy, vision blurring as emotion welled up, his bottom lip quivering as he used his best efforts to keep his voice steady. “You’ve always been it for me. I tried to move on because I thought you’d never feel the same way—let alone for someone who was a boy.” He swallowed hard. “I didn’t want to ruin our friendship either.”
A tear slipped free, but his voice stayed strong. “I’ve always loved you. And honestly… I probably always will.”
Mike looked at him like he was something precious, like Will had hung the moon just for him. Maybe he always had. The realization made Mike’s heart feel like it might burst straight out of his chest.
Before Will could even think to wipe it away, Mike lifted his hand, gently brushing the tear from his cheek. His fingers lingered there, thumb warm against Will’s skin as they held each other’s gaze.
“I love you, Will,” Mike said softly, a small but certain smile curving his lips.
“I love you, Mike,” Will replied, just as quietly. He leaned forward, resting his forehead against Mike’s, their noses brushing, their lips barely grazing. “You know… you didn’t need an excuse to kiss me. You could’ve just done it.”
Mike let out a breathy laugh, pressing a gentle kiss to Will’s lips, lingering there like he never wanted to leave. “I was scared,” He admitted truthfully, vulnerability filling his voice. “I never want to lose you.”
“You won’t,” Will said immediately, their fingers still linked as he pressed their joined hands against Mike’s chest. He felt the steady rhythm of Mike’s heartbeat beneath his palm. “Not now. Not ever.”
Mike chuckled softly, his free hand sliding to Will’s hip, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Good. Because I’m not letting you go.”
“Does this mean I get to call you my boyfriend?” Will grinned against his lips, their bodies close, breathing each other in fully.
Mike nodded, squeezing Will’s hand. “Yeah, boyfriend. Of course.” He kissed him again, then pulled back just enough to look at him. “But, uh, if you had to grade me on my kissing abilities… what would you give me?”
Will raised an eyebrow, disbelief melting into amusement as a soft laugh slipped from his lips. “You’re seriously asking me to grade you on your kissing skills?”
Mike shrugged, a teasing grin tugging at his lips. “Why not?” He said lightly. “I mean, I never really felt much of anything when I kissed girls before,” His gaze softened as it stayed locked on Will. “Guess it’s because they weren’t you.”
Will nodded slowly, memories flickering through his mind of parties, of seeing Mike kissing someone else and feeling his chest ache in ways he never had words for. “Okay, fine,” He said, a small smile breaking through. “I’ll give you a million stars,” He paused, then added quietly, “And one extra because I’ve wanted to kiss you since forever.”
Mike’s grin widened impossibly as he squeezed Will’s hip, pulling him back against his chest like it was the most natural thing in the world. Will lips against his lips, their foreheads pressed together, breaths mingling.
“Well then,” Mike said softly, brushing his nose against Will’s, “Now you can practice on me as much as you want.”
“Good,” Will replied, heart pounding. “Because your lips are the only ones I plan on kissing for the rest of my lifetime.”
Will’s heart swelled so full it almost hurt. He didn’t think he had ever known happiness like this, so warm, so certain. The abandoned sketching project on the floor could wait.
Right now, this was all that mattered.
Mike and Will.
Just like it was always meant to be.