It had been about 18 months since the group defeated Vecna and destroyed the upside down. It has also been since El sacrificed herself.

After Will came out as gay (and all that stuff), he began going out with this guy named Carlton.

Now, being honest here, Will didn't really like Carlton that much. Because he still liked Mike. And as bad as it sounds (which it is), Will was really using Carlton as a distraction from Mike. It didn't really help, though.

As for Mike? Well, He grieved the 'death' (?) of his girlfriend. Even after 18 months, he still had more time before he finally moved on. And when he did, he realized something.

Mike likes Will.

it dropped on him like a bomb. Dropping REALLY hard on him.

Mike was tired of hiding his feelings, not just his romantic ones. So he told Will. And as you might expect from a guy who just heard the guy he'd been yearning for for YEARS just said he liked him back, Will was thrilled.

but there was one small problem... Will didn't know how to break up with Carlton. And Mike was never the one to break up with El. So, Will choose the second best yet harshest choice:

cheat.

☆☆☆☆☆

Mike and Will started dating secretly behind Carlton's back not too long after. Mike would come by Will's apartment he'd recently moved into after graduation. Sounds like paradise with the privacy, right? Well, not really. because Carlton practically lived there. Not literally, but he visited soooo much, which really pissed Mike off sometimes.

You may wonder, "Just go to Mike's house?" Well, not so simple. Mike's little sister Holly started getting into DnD and playing with her friends in the basement, so that's off limits. And Mike's bedroom is risky since absolutely nobody in the Wheeler house knocked. So it was usually Will's apartment or they wait until Mike has an empty house.

-Present-

Mike came over to Will's apartment today. Carlton had a long shift today where he worked, 5 pm to 5 am. Harsh, but Mike loved it. He had Will for the rest of the day and maybe the night if he chooses to since technically Carlton doesn't live there and has his own home.

When Mike arrived and knocked on the door, he was greeted by Will who stepped aside to let him in, not without a hug first.

When Mike got comfortable (aka taking off his shoes) he wrapped his arms around Will's waist. He loved being all over Will whenever he could.

Will chuckled, one hand resting on top of Mike's chest and the other cupping Mike's cheek

"Soo, is you boyfriend 'Carlton' here? like alwaayss" Mike asked with a smug smirk, letting the 'like always' drag dramatically

Will rolled his eyes, though, there was no real annoyance in them "No, obviously."

Mike's smirk formed into a soft smile, before asking another question "What kind of name is 'Carlton' anyways? Sounds stupid."

(YES this is my way of coping after ep 8)