Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Morning Antics.
College with Mike had always been the plan. They get a small apartment in the city, both get jobs, split the rent while they both get their degrees. Simple, Will had always thought.
Will didn’t think it would be much different from the time he and Jonathan lived with the Wheeler’s back in 86’.
Oh how he was wrong.
Sure, they’ve fallen into the same routines- staying up late watching movies, dragging themselves out of bed each morning for breakfast, sitting too close on the couch. They still spent every moment together, just like they used to at Mike’s house.
They had rented a small apartment together near campus, two bedrooms, small living and kitchen area and a tiny bathroom. But good enough for the two of them. The rent wasn’t bad, and with Dustin and Lucas only staying a few blocks away it made keeping up with weekly game nights easy.
But in their tiny apartment there was rarely anywhere to be alone. Will hardly found a moment to himself with Mike around.
Mike Wheeler has never really understood the concept of personal space. Not when it comes to Will.
The first few weeks were easy, domestic. They fell into a routine quickly and seemed to settle into college life well. But the lack of privacy was becoming an issue.
At first they spent most of the time hanging out together in Will’s room, or together in the living room, always managing to be side by side no matter where they were in the apartment. Then Mike would say goodnight and wonder off to bed, and Will would return to his room for the night.
Recently though, they’ve been staying in each other’s rooms most nights, since that one time they passed out of the couch together during some movie marathon Mike had planned.
Will didn’t mind, they’d had sleepovers countless times in the past, especially when he and Jonathan stayed in the basement.
Some nights it was Will’s bedroom, other nights it was Mike’s. It just depended where they gravitated too that night, seemingly unbothered as long as it was just them two.
Most of Mike’s classes happened to be at the same time as Will’s, so they were often both out of the house together too. Leaving little time for privacy.
Tuesdays were usually Will’s busiest day, a long class followed by working on a group project, which left Mike with plenty of time to sleep in, apartment to himself.
This morning however, Will’s earliest class had been cancelled last minute, and everyone else in the class took that as a free day off, deciding to meet later in the week to catch up on work.
Will decided to pick up two coffee’s and bagels on his walk home, from the local artisan bakery to surprise Mike. Will barely had chance to set them down on the counter before Mike stumbled into the kitchen.
His hair was messy and ran through, his face flushed and breathing heavy. A plain white shirt lazily dragged on and those soft grey sweatpants with a hole in. It almost looked like Mike had been asleep, if he wasn’t so out of breath.
He stopped dead in his tracks when he spotted Will, eyes wide and looked almost panicked for a second.
“Uh- Water” Mike eventually spat out, holding up the empty glass in his hand. A shy smile flashed across his face as he walked further into the kitchen.
“Coffee?” Will countered, pushing the cup along the counter towards Mike. He smiled, taking the cup and a long sip with it.
“I thought you had class?” Mike asked sheepishly. He glances at Will, then back at the cup, before taking another sip.
His shirt lifted at the hem slightly as he drank, and it pulled Will’s attention instantly.
“It was cancelled, professor is sick” Will hummed.
Will couldn’t help himself. His gaze drifted over the hem, the exposed skin, the waistband on his sweatpants, the outline of his- oh god.
Mike was hard as a rock. Mike was big, there was no hiding that. He could see everything.
Will tore his eyes away to the countertop forcefully. Mike was fully hard and he had definitely just interrupted something. Will starred down at the counter like it would help. Opening and closing his mouth, trying to find the right words to say.
“Ugh- thanks yeah I’m-“ Mike muttered out, as he quickly paced back over to his bedroom. His face reddening by the second.
Will just laughed. He couldn’t help it any longer, the awkward tension in the air caused by Mike’s very apparent boner was too much to handle.
“Mike-“ Will choked, giggling. And Mike just shook his head, hands coming up to hide his face, laughing too.
“You were supposed to be at class. 10am Tuesday’s. Every time- and you’re gone until like 2 it’s the perfect time slot!” Mike laughed, quickly glancing over Will, who was laughing even harder now. Will caught his gaze with a playful look.
“Okay” Will laughed. “Tuesday’s off limits. Got it” he glanced over at Mike, who stood awkwardly in the bedroom doorway.
“Don’t let me stop you” Will teasingly spat out, and giggled. He smirked over at Mike, who was now staring right back at Will. Their eyes met for a beat too long. Mike opened his mouth like he wanted to say something, heat crawling up his neck.
“Okay- I’m uh-“ Mike shuffled inside the door, quickly shutting it behind him. Will stared at the now closed door, finally able to catch his breath.
What the hell just happened?
His best friend. More like the guy he’s been desperately in love with for years. Stood there in those damn grey sweatpants spouting a full erection. Not that those pants hide much anyway, but this left nothing to the imagination. Will couldn’t stop the images of it racing through his mind.
The bedroom door opened erratically again a few minutes later, and Mike’s head popped out from the side.
Will was still staring wide-eyed with his mouth wide open, and immediately straightened up once he saw Mike.
“Did you get bagels too?” He quirked, with that typical ‘Mike Wheeler’ smirk on his face.
Irresistible.
“Yes” Will huffed, glancing back at the forgotten bagels, still in the bag on the counter.
“Great- bagel break and you pick the music while we study?” Mike smiled, tilting his head to the side slightly, still hidden behind the door. Will nodded, flashing a small smile back.
A moment of silence passed between the two, filled with stolen glances and staring far too intently at the blue rug in the centre of the living room. Will needed to break the silence.
“Did you just-“
“No” Mike laughed, rubbing a hand across his face. “I’m just- y’know- waiting” he raised his eyebrows and stared at Will expectantly. “For it too- you know” Mike laughed. Gesturing a downward motion with his hands.
“I’m never letting you live this down” Will laughed and shook his head.
“Shut up” Mike retorted, glancing away from Will and back again. He looked down at himself before leaving the bedroom entirely. Mike slumped on the sofa and turned to the tv.
“Okay bagel time” he said, smirking over at Will.
The image of Mike in the kitchen that morning haunted Will. Every time he glanced over at Mike doing something simple, anything at all really, his mind reminded him how good he looked like that. Sure, his thoughts haven’t exactly been the most innocent as they got older- but he’s never had a visual reference before.
And those damn sweatpants that leave everything on show. Light grey, soft cotton and very worn-in, sporting a few small holes.
They both sat comfortably in Will’s room. Mike’s Walkman turned up, the radio quietly humming through the room. Will sat at his desk sketching away at his recent project,
Mike sprawled behind him on the bed scribbling away in his notebook. This is how their days usually go, studying away in Will’s room until they move to the living room into the evening. Inseparable, as they’ve always been.
Mike slumped down with a loud sigh, collapsing into his book.
“Okay- I can’t take it anymore my brain is fried” he mumbled into the paper, pushing himself back up to look at Will.
“I’m going to shower” he jumped up off the bed and stretched, shirt lifting slightly as he did so. Will’s eyes snapped down to the edge of the fabric quickly, before returning to Mike’s eyes. They exchanged a quick smile, Will taking one last glance over him as he left.
When they first moved in, Will realised that Mike always takes long showers. He timed it once, at least 30 minutes- each time. He always takes his Walkman and sometimes Will can hear him singing along.
30 minutes was more than enough time, in fact it was the most time alone that Will had. It quickly became his own risky time-slot, so Will couldn’t tease Mike too much about his Tuesday morning antics.
Once Will heard the shower turn on he knew it was time. He jumped up from the desk and stumbled to the edge of his bed, fumbling with his belt in a desperate rush.
The risk of Mike being just across the hall, paired with the thought of Mike in the shower was enough to get Will turned on in seconds. The images of Mike flustered and hard in the kitchen rush through his mind as Will clumsily palms himself through the denim, chasing the friction.
He slides his jeans down just enough to slip his hand inside his boxers, slowly rubbing himself to the thought of Mike- hard in the shower, dripping wet. He imagines the way the water would fall off his curls and cling to his chest. A soft moan escapes Will’s lips, louder than he’d intended- but the shower is still running so Will doesn’t pay much attention to it.
His breathing picks up, loud and heavy, as he strokes himself with a quicker pace.
“Fuck-“ he mutters between breathes. His head rolls back and he moans again as he chases his high. The Walkman still softly hums on Will’s desk. His breathy moans get more frequent, small whimpers escaping his lips as he gets close, imagining Mike touching himself in the shower.
A muffled bang from outside the door pulled Will from his thoughts. A panic rising suddenly in his chest. It sounded as if something fell, knocked from a nearby shelf.
Will steadied his breathing for a minute, figuring that Mike must’ve dropped something in the bathroom. The shower was still running and he should have 10 minutes left- if Mike sticks to his normal schedule.
After a moment, Will continues, awkwardly at first but the thoughts and images of Mike, soaking wet, are enough encouragement for Will. It’s not long until he reaches his high, stuttered breaths breaking apart his moans, as he covers his hand, quickly reaching for a tissue off the desk. Will takes a few deep breaths and collapses onto his back.
It’s risky, but he loves it. Mike’s showers were the best part of Will’s day and Mike wasn’t even aware of it.
Always spontaneous at random times in the day, but yet still so consistent. Always takes the same amount of time, uses the same towel, never showers without his radio, and reappears exactly 30 minutes later to put on the same aftershave each time, which he conveniently happens to leave in Will’s room.
As Will’s breathing returns to normal, he hums along to some Tears for Fears song quietly playing on the radio. Will’s head shot up and his eyes widen as he stares over at the Walkman, horror creeping through him.
Mike never showers without it.
Had he walked in without Will noticing? The panic settling in as he searches through each plausible explanation. Surely not. Will would’ve heard the door open.
His mind raced, fingers nervously tapping on his thigh as he patiently waited for Mike to walk back in. Any minute now, Will thought to himself, looking down at his watch.
Each minute passed by agonisingly slow until Mike walked back into the bedroom, 15 minutes later. Much longer than he would normally take in the shower, and it send another flush of panic through Will.
Mike walked in with a towel wrapped around his waist, water droplets clung to his chest and his skin flushed and pink. His hair still dripping down him. Mike had made a habit of this, and Will normally wouldn’t complain, the sight helping indulge his own shower-time fantasies. But this time was different.
“Hey” Mike mumbled, running a hand through his hair as he reached over to windowsill and grabbed the aftershave bottle, leaning against the wall.
“Oh I love this song-“ he smiled, passively singing along to the chorus, looking over at Will. Will searched his face for any hint of embarrassment, or awkwardness. Anything that would elude to ‘I’ve just walking in on my best friend jerking off while I showered’.
But Mike just held up his usual cheeky smile.
“Yeah you uh- left the radio here” Will probed, hoping that if Mike had heard or seen anything, they could just rip the tension bandaid off now. Call it even and never mention it again. He shyly looked back at Mike, who was still staring at Will.
“It’s cool, hope you enjoyed it-“ Mike smiled. “-the music. I mean. The soundtrack” He blurted out clumsily, a blush spread lightly up his neck, and flashed a smirk at Will.
Weird. Does he know?
“Okay so- pepperoni? Or cheese? It’s on you tonight, Byers” Mike started, shifting his weight against the wall, making the towel open slightly over his thighs. Will caught a glimpse of the exposed pale skin beneath and sucked in a quick breath.
“You order. I’ll get dressed. Then Star Wars” Mike said, waving his hands dramatically as he backed out of the room. Will huffed out a laugh, barely able to collect his thoughts before Mike was gone from his room again.
Okay, so maybe Mike didn’t know.
The days following stuck to the usual routine, but something in the air felt different. Charged with tension neither one of them wanted to acknowledge. Will was still panicking that Mike had accidentally walked in on him. He questioned it each time he caught Mike looking at him for a second too long.
But the teasing and jokes continued either way, things seemingly back to normal. When Will’s next opportunity came around, he told himself that he’d just study for 30 minutes, and really concentrate on getting his work finished.
That was never going to happen.
The moment Will heard the shower turn on, his thoughts started to spiral and a familiar heat spread over him. He shouldn’t. He really shouldn’t. Last time was far too close, but he doesn’t get many other chances at ‘alone time’.
Fuck it.
Will slides his hand down, still at the desk just by the wall. He quickly glances around his bedroom- definitely none of Mike’s belongings this time.
He wastes no time, sliding his hand into his underwear slowly working himself, slouching down on the chair slightly. After a few minutes Will’s completely entranced in the fantasy- Mike post shower, dripping. His towel slipping slightly.
Breathy moans spill out of him, until one sensitive spot catches him in a gasp. He takes a deep breath and pulls his head back up to the desk.
Will could’ve sworn he heard something from outside the door.
“Mhm” He heard whispered again.
Will’s eyes shoot up to the wall in front of him, unsure if he was still stuck in his fantasy, or if that small whimper subconsciously came from him.
He hadn’t exactly been paying attention to the sounds he’s been making, completely lost in the moment.
“Fuck” Will whispered.
Slowing his pace, looking down at himself and biting his lip in a desperate attempt to silence himself. The risk of it all was just too hot.
He was met with a moan. Almost silent, breathy. But definitely a moan, and it definitely wasn’t from Will.
His eyes shot up to the wall in front of him again, glued to it as his worked himself, gradually picking up the pace again. His mouth fell open in a gasp.
Will let out a loud sigh, almost teasing for a reaction, or testing if it was all some insane delusion in his head. To his surprise, it was met with another quiet whimper.
Fuck that’s hot.
His pace on himself quickened, no longer trying to hold back his soft moans, each one met with a muffled breath from outside. Just the thought that Mike could be on the other side of the wall, listening in. Hearing Will moan and touch himself, to think Mike was just outside the door doing the same thing- It was overwhelming.
“Ah fuck-“ Will stuttered, coming in his hand with a sharp gasp, his breath quick and heavy. Just as will’s breath started to even out, he heard a gasp and mumbling from outside, the reality of everything hitting suddenly.
Not again.
Was Mike really listening? Was he really doing what Will thought he was doing? Surely not. Will couldn’t seem to think of what else it could’ve been though.
Does he know?
Does he know I know?
Will pondered, but ultimately decided not to mention anything. Not unless Mike seem’s off. He couldn’t bring himself to start that conversation.
That cannot happen again.
Will promises himself. The risk might turn him on, but the reality of being caught and ruining everything with Mike, his best friend, the boy who means everything to him- he couldn’t risk that.
It was a little while later when Mike walked back in, same routine as always. A quick smile, hand through his hair like a dog shaking off water. Nothing unusual yet, aside from the overly long shower again.
Mike had picked some clean clothes up from his room and brought them in with him. A new development in the shower routine. Will decided not to question it, glancing away as Mike pulled his underwear on, then discarding the towel carelessly on Will’s floor.
Mike didn’t look away, maintaining his gaze on Will as he threw the towel.
“I’ve got an idea” Mike grinned, snapping up the waistband of his underwear. He raised his eyebrows with a wide smile across his face.
Will looked over at him, stood against the desk in nothing but his underwear, still wet from the shower, and gulped. His mouth went dry.
“Enlighten me” Will teased.
Glancing back up at Mike, still just stood there smirking. The damn Wheeler smirk. Will thought it might be the death of him.
“We pull the TV in here and watch that new movie? Movie in bed, snacks in bed” Mike tilted his head and held his hands out, trying to gage Will’s reaction.
“Come on, Will, what could be better than that?” Mike teased, smirking and licking his lips, not once breaking eye contact with Will.
I could show you a few things better than that. Will thought, quickly pushing it out of his mind. Not right now.
“And put it where?” He glanced over to the empty space by the bottom of the bed.
“We’ll bring the table in too” Mike chirped, pulling a face like it was obvious. Will just shot him a look back, which made Mike look even more smug.
“Okay” Will paused. “I swear Mike if we break it, you’re paying for a new one” Mike just laughed back, holding his hands up defensively.
They settled in on Will’s bed, with a yellow crocheted blanket spread over them both. Left over pizza on a plate balanced on Mikes lap and a bag of chips between them. Will pressed play on some Stephen King movie.
Will couldn’t quite remember the name of it. More excited to just spent the next hour or so pressed close against Mike. Their arms brushed gently as they both sat with their eyes glued to the screen.
“Pass me a slice” Will whispers, a few minutes in, looking over his shoulder at Mike. When he glances back, Will can’t help but notice how close they are.
It would be so easy to just lean in.
Mike smiles softly and picks up a piece of pizza, taking a bite out of it first before handing it to Will.
“What the hell? Mike” Will whined, letting out a defeated laugh.
“Get your own slice next time” Mike spat out playfully, shoving Will’s arm with a quiet huff.
Will studied him for a moment, before focusing down on the pizza. He took a bite, right where Mike did, and glanced over at him. Mike was staring right back, a quick smirk tugged on his lips, as if he was waiting for Will to take a bite.
Mike cleared his throat and looked back over at the screen, some loud sound effects grabbing his attention.
They carried on like that for the night, Will occasionally sliding his hand over to grab a slice of pizza off the plate- which Mike kept conveniently placed over his lap.
Will felt Mike’s breath catch each time he moved, and something about it was so thrilling. He could hear when his breathing quickened and caught, and he could feel Mike’s eyes burying into him. Will kept stealing little glances himself, never able to catch Mike’s eyes for more than a moment.
As the movie went on each of them sunk further into the bed, tiredness taking over. Neither of them mentioned what happened earlier, not even hinting or joking about it a little.
Will had shamefully dropped teasing Mike about the morning incident all together, scared of the conversations it might stir up.
Instead they just calmly lay there together, until they both fell asleep during some point in the movie.