Work Text:
Mike never spoke about him symptoms. After getting back from California, the ‘cali crew’ as Dustin started calling them, all got an explanation on Vecna and how he possessed his victims and the symptoms to watch out for.
Mike didn’t have the heart to bring up the fact that he experienced some of those symptoms before leaving Hawkins. Though now that he’s back, he’s been debating on bringing it up, especially when the symptoms started again. The only reason why he didn’t was because he was afraid his friends would think it was him trying to get attention after his breakup with El.
They were all sitting around hoppers cabin, having just finished cleaning it up. They were all having a conversation with anything that their mind conjured up at the moment when it happened. Mike got a shooting pain through his head, worse than the usual headaches. The pain left him breathless, feeling suffocated.
“Mike, you okay, man?” Lucas asked, seeing the others quickened breathing.
“Yeah- yeah! I just- I gotta go get some air real quick.” Mike said, trying to force his voice to stay even.
Without waiting for a reply, Mike all but sped walked out of the cabin. Once he was outside he started to try catching his breath that seemed to have left him. The sharp pain started to dull, which caused him to feel a warm liquid under his nose.
He brought his hand up, wiping the liquid away with his sleeve. Bringing his arm away from his face, he saw blood. His nose was bleeding badly.
Unfortunately, before he could do anything about it, the world around him seemed to change. Everything turned red.
“Micheal.” A deep voice groveled.
Mike froze as he realized what was happening.
“You really thought ignoring it would make it go away?” Vecna voiced.
“I wasn’t ignoring the curse.” Mike sputtered out before thinking.
“This isn’t about the curse. This is about you lashing out at the person you love.” Vecna’s voice seemed to gravitate towards Mike’s ears in an uncomfortable way.
“What are you talking about?! I don’t lash out at El!” Mike defended angrily.
Vecna paused, turning to look at Mike as if he was seeing him for the first time.
“You mean, you’re not even aware of it?” Vecna said, sounding on the verge of laughter.
Before Mike could protest more, the scenery around him changed. He was currently in his garage, watching as past Will rushed out of the house. He watched as his past self chased after Will. He watched as the whole fight went down.
He tried to look away, but a familiar reply had his eyes darting towards the scene.
“See, you don't know and you don't even care, and obviously he doesn't either. You're destroying everything, and for what? So you could swap spit with some stupid girl?" Will yelled out in frustration.
Mike watches as his past self responds with, "El’s not stupid! It's not my fault you don't like girls!"
Mike watched as heartbreak presented itself in Will’s eyes. He wanted to scream at himself, shake his shoulders and tell him to shut up for once.
“No..but do you think it’s his fault you don’t like girls, Michael? Is that why you push him away?” Vecna’s voice seemed to remind Mike of his presents.
“Get out of my head.” Mike said, voice firm.
Instead of letting Mike go, the scene changed into the lab.
“That’s..my friend. Mike.” Younger Will said
causing past Mike to smile.
Mike remembered how relieving it was to hear Will say that, knowing the other boy still remembered him.
Immediately the scene changed again and Mike was stuck watching as his younger self held his hands over his ears as younger Will screamed.
Current Mike was fighting off the feeling of copying his younger self. He hated hearing Will’s screams. He still gets nightmares sometimes.
He watched as Joyce used the needle to put him to sleep. He watched as they were struggling through the halls. Watching as he struggled to hold Will up, but not wanting anyone else to hold him.
The scene changed again to where they had Will tied up in the shed behind the Byers’ house. He listened as his past self said how asking Will to be his friend was the best thing he’s ever done. Listening to himself tell the boy how much he means to him.
Mike felt something deep inside of him crack open as he was forced to see and listen to this.
“Get out of my head.” Mike voiced again, squeezing his eyes shut to try shutting his thoughts up before he gets in to deep.
“Best thing you ever done? I have a feeling you switched up a little and reused this little speech to someone who you’re trying desperately to love. ‘My life started the day I found you in the woods’..the day your best friend went missing? The day you were fully planning on sending Eleven to a psychiatric hospital..Pennhurst, if I recall?” Vecna drawled out.
“Shut up! You don’t know anything!” Mike yelled.
“Oh, but I do. I know you thought you were the only one who cared about Will..the only one acting ‘normal’ when he was missing.” Vecna continued.
“SHUT UP!”
“I know the only reason you kept Eleven around was so you could find Will.” Vecna’s stated.
Mike couldn’t think of a response. Everything he’s ever tried denying and not think about was being shoved into his thoughts. All the little details of him trying to be normal are being used against him.
“You know, he’s loved you from the start. It’s a shame you’ll never know what you’re missing now..once I’m through with you.” Vecna said, lifting his hand to Mike’s face.
It just registered to Mike that he was back in the red, being held onto a pillar by vines. His struggling stopped when he heard Vecna’s words.
“What..?” Mike quietly asked, voice seemingly broken.
“He loves you. You haven’t noticed? Even with that painting he gifted to you? The one Eleven talked about in her letter?” Vecna asked with false sadness.
“Eleven commissioned it.” Mike tried to defend.
“Does she even know what that means? Besides, why would Eleven commission a painting that she wasn’t in..about a game she doesn’t even like or know anything about?” Vecna asked as his fingers were placed onto Mike’s face.
Mike’s eyes widen as it finally sunk in. Everything he’s been denying. Everything he never allowed himself to think.
Vecna was just about to kill him when music started playing. Smalltown boy by Bronski beat started blasting into the area. The unexpected music caused Vecna to hesitate, giving Mike time to free himself and start running towards the sound.
“You can’t get away from me!” Was the last thing Mike heard before jumping through a portal that had opened.
“Mike!” Will screamed as he felt Mike fall.
“Will?!” Mike asked frantically, calming when he seen Will holding onto him.
Mike didn’t give himself time to look around before he pulled Will into a bone crushing hug.
Will tightening his grip as it sunk in that he was close to losing the other boy.
“I love you.” Mike said into the boys shoulder, the words muffled.
“What?” Will asked, tensing as he wasn’t sure if he heard right.
Mike removed his head, looking the hazel eyes boy in said eyes and repeated what he had just said.
“I love you. I’m sorry for pushing you away. I’m sorry for being such a terrified coward and not realizing it sooner. I just- I’m in love with you.” Mike word vomited. Everything spilling out.
Will didn’t say anything. Instead, he pulled Mike in for a kiss. Mike immediately reciprocated. The first thought Mike had was ‘this is way better than kissing a girl’.
“I love you too.” Will said once they broke the kiss for some air.