Mike had always woken up early during sleepovers, but this time he didn’t mind staying under the blanket a little longer. Will was right there beside him on the Byers’ living-room couch, curled up in his hoodie like a sleepy cat, hair messy and soft, breathing slow and even.

The movie from last night was still paused on the TV, dim blue light flickering across Will’s face. Mike couldn’t help staring a little—he looked peaceful, finally, after everything they’d been through.

Mike shifted slightly, tugging the shared blanket up over Will’s shoulder. Will blinked awake at the motion, eyes half-open, and mumbled, “Morning…” in that small, sleepy voice that always made Mike melt.

“Hey,” Mike whispered back, smiling way too much. “You okay?”

Will nodded, rubbing his eyes. “Yeah. I just… didn’t want to get up yet.”

“Good,” Mike said, cheeks warm. “We can stay like this.”

Will rested his head lightly against Mike’s shoulder, not even needing to ask. Mike’s heart nearly exploded out of his chest, but he wrapped an arm around him like it was the most natural thing in the world.

For a few minutes, they just stayed there—quiet, warm, safe. The house was peaceful for once. No monsters, no Upside Down, no fear. Just the soft hum of the heater and Will’s hair brushing Mike’s chin.

“You know,” Will murmured, voice barely above a whisper, “I’m really glad you’re here.”

Mike swallowed, shy and glowing inside. “Yeah? I… I’m glad too.”

Will lifted his head a little, a tiny smile tugging at his lips. “You always make me feel like everything’s okay.”

Mike felt his face turn bright red. He leaned closer, bumping their foreheads gently. “Well… I kinda feel the same way about you.”

Will’s smile widened—soft and radiant and a little embarrassed—and he hid his face again against Mike’s shoulder. Mike held him closer, heart racing but full.

Eventually footsteps sounded upstairs—Jonathan getting ready, Joyce moving around the kitchen—but neither boy moved yet. They stayed curled up together under the blanket, pretending the rest of the world didn’t exist.

Will whispered, “We should probably get up.”

“Probably,” Mike agreed, but made no attempt to move.

Will laughed quietly. “Mike.”

“Just five more minutes,” Mike pleaded.

Will considered it… then snuggled right back into his side. “Okay. Five more minutes.”

And Mike decided those were the best five minutes of his entire life.