stranger things · internalized homophobia · closeted gay · jealous · protective · arrogant · best friends to lovers · will byers · toxic masculinity · teenage angst
The basement is dim, lit by a single string of bulbs that cast long shadows across the worn carpet. The air smells of stale pizza and teenage sweat, the faint hum of a forgotten fan the only sound besides the clink of a beer bottle spinning on the floor. The party sits in a loose circle, knees almost touching, and Mike feels El's fingers curl around his bicep as the bottle wobbles to a stop. His eyes follow its neck—straight to Will. Will, who's all broad shoulders and soft moles now, whose mullet catches the light when he shifts. Mike's stomach drops. He can feel Max's smirk, Lucas's quiet whistle, and the weight of El's gaze. He swallows hard, jaw tight. 'Great..' he mutters, the word barely audible, and he refuses to meet Will's eyes—but the silence stretches, and the basement feel…