#I’m rambling MAKSKSNS okay enjoy-

[cluelessbees]

Secret Santa Gift! @upside-down-theater-kid

Merry Christmas! (I'm hoping it's still Christmas for you)

“You play?!” Will exclaims, a little shocked, as he gently lifts the guitar by the top of the neck from its stand. He had a smile plastered on his face and – while yes normally Mike would take the opportunity to not-so-subtly admire how beautiful his smile was or …gawkathismuscles – Mike was too focused feeling embarrassed over how God awful his guitar skills were.

Because okay – technically, yes. In the loosest definition of the word, he could play the guitar. He had started to learn after he spotted the acoustic guitar at a random yard sale one day. It was only 15 dollars and came with a bunch of songbooks (which – by the way, a steal), and after watching Eddie play guitar one time after their DnD sessions, he decided that maybe it would be cool if he could play an instrument. Y’know…wow a girl or two…or a guy or two… 

Okay, maybe one specific guy. 

Who, funny enough, is the guy who just asked Mike if he played. Literally, the moment he shamelessly daydreamed about when buying the damn thing, and he’s panicking, like an idiot – because it wasn’t meant to go like this. It was meant to happen after he got super good, and he could just magically wow him. He had it all planned out and yet he didn’t think to hide the flipping guitar before Will came.

This…was on him.

 “Yeah–” Mike’s voice cracks – excellent start. “Uh– just a– just a little bit. It’s nothing fancy or anything, but– Yes. I do.”

Once again, excellent speaking skills from the one and only Mike Wheeler here.

He watched as Will continued to smile to himself, running his thumbs along the strings against the fretboard. He stood like that for a bit before turning to Mike. 

“…Can you show me?” He whispered, biting on his bottom lip as he continued to smile. 

And…this was unfair, really. Because Mike can’t say no to this Will. The Will that is vulnerable in the purest form when he’s with Mike. The Will that’s comfortable showing Mike every inch of his emotions– especially his excitement. It’s Mike’s favourite thing. The way his eyes light up, the way his smile is toothy, how giddy he gets, and his whole– just everything is so much more…Will. 

“It’s really bad, Will,” He started. “I can’t even play a single chord correctly–”

“Still! Please just play a bit.” He lifts the guitar and brings it to Mike. “Show me what you’re working on.” 

He pushes the guitar closer to Mike, who is still very much terrified.

“I won’t laugh or anything I promise.” Will adds, giving him a reassuring smile. Mike hates that he’s contemplating it now. Pursing his lips, he finally sighs.

“Okay– fine,” He concedes, grabbing the guitar, putting the strap over his head, and placing it on his lap as he took a seat on his bed. “Your last warning, though! You sure you want to put your ears through this?”

Will just shakes his head, smiling. “I guarantee you I’ll love whatever you play.”

Meanwhile, Mike was busy trying not to implode as he tried to revise the chord progression to the song he was learning. It wasn’t the most difficult song in the world, but given the presence of a barre chord and Mike’s lack of barring capabilities, it probably wasn’t the best song to start with. 

No turning back now. 

He glides his fingers along the fretboard as he revises one last time before looking up at Will, who’s giving him an excited and encouraging smile, and then finally placing his hand over the bridge to strum. 

Immediately, Mike’s lack of skill is evident. His strumming is jagged and abrupt, his chord changes were slow and awkward, and for some reason, there was a constant buzzing noise coming from one of the strings Mike was failing to press down on. It was all in all bad. The song was barely recognisable by the intro sequence alone – which is bad.

“Darling you’ve got to let me know.” Mike sang. Although, “sang” isn’t entirely accurate. He more so…said the words to the tempo. Because his ego had already been bruised by his inadequate playing. He didn’t want to add his screeching singing into the mix. 

“Should I stay or should I go.” He strummed the chord progression once more, his eyes glued to the fretboard. He kind of felt stupid for learning one of Will’s favourite songs and possibly inadvertently ruining it with his horrible guitar skills. He wonders what Will’s face must be saying right now. He was probably horrified by how bad it sounded, Mike thought. Although he wouldn’t show it, of course. He’s too kind and nice for that. Maybe it was more of an awkward attempt at a smi–

Oh.

Oh.

He was beaming. 

At that moment, in the most purest form of the phrase, Will Byers was the sun. He just radiated such a sense of warmth. His toothy smile was wider than before. His eyes were gleaming. His body was just-

Electric. 

That…took Mike a little off-guard – resulting in a random pause mid-strum, which he caught after Will furrowed his eyebrows at the sudden quietness. Still smiling – Mike would like to add. He kept smiling, and he kept his eyes on Mike, and he was electric.

And Mike couldn’t help but smile back. 

He started to feel more relaxed and a bit less self-conscious about his capabilities because he made Will Byers smile the brightest smile he’s ever seen, and that sort of accomplishment comes with an added boost to your confidence.

“Sooo you’ve got to let me knooooooooooow,” He began to sing, his strumming louder and more prominent in the room. “Should I stay or should I go.”

He mimicked the sound of the guitar with his voice – exaggerating it a bit for show. Which– Stupid? Yes. Weird? Definitely. But it earned a laugh from Will Byers so,

What else mattered?

Not to mention that Mike, himself, was starting to have fun. Even though his guitar skills were still horrible, and his fingers were killing him, and his chords were still a mess – he was having fun. And the messiness was part of it. Because it didn’t matter how bad it was. Will liked it.

“One day it’s fine, and next it’s black,” Mike screams, closing his eyes and rocking his head back and forth – garnering another chuckle from Will (not that Mike is keeping score). “So, if you want me off your back.”

“Well come on and let me knoooow.” He peeks at Will, who is now sitting next to him on the bed, and gestures to him with his head.

‘Go on.’

Will takes a second before he starts shaking his head and saying no – the embarrassment evident in the colour of his cheeks and the nervous fry of his laugh. But Mike persisted, standing up now, the strap holding the guitar in place as he continues prolonging the ‘know’ until– 

“Should I stay or should I go—” Will finally concedes, his hands covering his face – causing Mike to smile.

And, okay playing whilst standing is a bit new and different, which doesn’t help the whole situation, but fuck that. Mike starts to bounce his head and sing the next line.

“Should I stay or should I go now?” Mike yells louder, nudging his head to signal to Will to stand up – which he does…somewhat begrudgingly but Mike can tell he loves it.

“Should I stay or should I go now?” Will continues, gaining a bit more confidence. 

“If I go there will be troubleeee.”

“And if I stay it will be double.” Will finally sings – still giggling. 

They continue singing – more screaming for Mike – the entire song. It was a mess; they were both laughing and Mike kept doing weird dances which didn’t work when trying to play chords he’s barely even mastered. But none of that mattered. Because it was just them. Mike and Will. They were just shamelessly themselves, together. 

“Should I stay or should I go.” Mike strummed the last chords – panting, a little out of breath and a little in pain from playing too long. He turns to face Will and– wow that’s closer than he thought they were. Will just smiles, and Mike smiles back.

“I-I can’t believe you learned that song,” Will whispered, his voice a bit hoarse from the singing – which Mike shouldn’t focus on as much as he was.

“It reminds me of you, how could I not?” He replies, his eyes wandering a bit before remaining on Will. And– okay Mike might be imagining it but he could’ve sworn he saw Will’s eyes fall on his lips.

‘Kiss me. Kiss me. Kiss me.’ Mike thought, slightly hoping Will could read his mind and take the hint or maybe Mike should just make a move and—

“Michael! Will! Dinner!” 

…His mom has the best timing, doesn’t she? 

#byler #byler secret santa 2022 #byler fic #byler fanfic #the ending is a bit rushed I’m very sorry ;—; #I’m really bad with limited word counts #I hope it’s still good tho T—T #I ran this through grammarly so I’m hoping there’s no grammar mistakes #I’m rambling MAKSKSNS okay enjoy-