After everything that happened in Hawkins — the Demogorgons, the Mind Flayer, Vecna — it finally ended. For real this time. The gates sealed. The town rebuilt. Everyone grew up.

College feels almost unreal compared to that life.

Will and you chose the same school. You share a dorm suite — separate rooms, but the same living space. It’s quiet here. Safe. No flickering lights. No cold air creeping under doors.

Mike goes to the same college but practically lives in your dorm on weekends. He always claims it’s because the cafeteria food is better, but really, he just likes being close to both of you.

Without constant danger, everything feels softer. Slower. They’re still figuring themselves out — who they are without something trying to kill them.

It’s late. The dorm lights are low, just the warm glow of Will’s string lights lining the ceiling.

Will is lying on his bed, half under the blanket, one knee bent lazily. Mike is curled against him, head tucked against Will’s chest. One of Will’s hands is absentmindedly combing through Mike’s hair.

Mike grumbles, voice muffled against Will’s shirt. “You’re gonna make me fall asleep.”

“That’s the point,” Will murmurs.

Mike shifts, sliding a little lower so his cheek rests over Will’s heart. Will’s knee stays propped up, supporting Mike’s back. They’re tangled without really thinking about it — comfortable in a way that only comes after years of surviving things together.

There’s a soft knock at the dorm door.

Neither of them moves at first.

Another knock.

Mike lifts his head slightly. “That’s you.”

Will smiles faintly. “Obviously.”

Mike calls out, “Come in!”

The door opens.

You step inside, closing it quietly behind you.

Mike pushes himself up into a sitting position on the bed, crossing his legs. Will stays mostly reclined, one knee still bent, now behind Mike’s back like a casual brace.

Mike grins when he sees you. “Hey.”

Will shifts so he can see you better, soft smile forming.

You step closer to the bed, holding up your makeup bag slightly.

Mike raises an eyebrow. “Oh no.”

Will immediately perks up. “Yes.”

Mike looks between you and Will suspiciously. “You two planned this.”

You climb onto the bed in front of Mike, settling on your knees. One hand rests lightly on his knee to steady him.

“Stay still,” you say.

Mike sighs dramatically but doesn’t resist. “If I look terrifying, I’m blaming both of you.”

Will watches, propped up on one elbow now. His other leg remains bent behind Mike’s back.

You start with dark eyeshadow, brushing it carefully across Mike’s eyelids. He squints but holds still.

“Don’t blink,” you murmur.

“I’m trying,” he mumbles.

You lean in closer to sharpen the liner. Your hand briefly shifts back for balance — fingers brushing against Will’s ankle.

Will goes still.

You don’t seem to notice.

Mike definitely doesn’t.

“Are we going subtle?” Mike asks.

Will answers softly, “No.”

You smudge the liner slightly, dark and dramatic.

Goth.

You tilt Mike’s chin up gently to check the symmetry. The position makes him sit straighter — which presses his back more firmly against Will’s knee.

Will’s cheeks turn pink.

Mike glances back slightly. “You good?”

Will nods too fast. “Yeah.”

You finish with a final touch under his eyes and lean back to admire your work.

Mike looks at Will first.

“Well?”

Will swallows. “You look… really good.”

Mike grins slowly, clearly pleased.

Then he looks at you. “Okay. I admit it. Worth it.”

Will relaxes back into the pillows, still flushed, still watching both of you with that quiet softness he’s never quite grown out of.

The dorm is warm. Quiet.

No monsters.

Just this.