Archive of Our Own ^beta

Mike and Will were seated on an red velvet bench that was sticky to the touch and smelt of sweat. Mike was bent over struggling against his own shoelaces while Will had one leg crossed across the other to neatly pull his shoes off. Will watched his boyfriend work with a small smile, shoes together in his lap as he waited. When they finally brought the shoes up to the counter, Will told the guy working the counter his shoe size.

While handing his dirty sneakers to the man, the lingering touch of their fingers did not go unnoticed by Mike.

He frowned and narrowed his eyes at the worker. S traight brown hair, messy and unbrushed, with pretty blue-green eyes and a splatter of light freckles dotting his nose bridge. All things considered, he wasn't too bad looking. Mike's glower deepened.

Will stepped back, roller-skates in hand with a polite "Thank you."

Now it was Mikes turn. He shoved his shoes onto the counter and crossed his arms, his glare following the employee as they walked off to get his size.

“Is something wrong, Mike?” Will cocked an eyebrow at the sudden shift in Mikes demeanor.

“Its fine. This guy just rubs me the wrong way." Yeah that was it. This guys just a creep. Mikes not jealous at all.

Will responds by giving him a weird look and together they make their way back to the bench.

Mike struggles with the laces again, muttering swears under his breath.

With an affectionate sigh Will puts his arms around Mikes shoulder and takes his hands in his, moving Mikes fingers to tie it correctly.

“Thank you, but I could’ve definitely done that by myself.” Mikes face turns a noticeable pink.

Will rolls his eyes playfully, “Suuuure ”

“I mean it!” Mike insists. Will just giggles in response.

He sets one skate aside and begins to put the first one on when the same worker from the counter walks over. Leaning against the back of the bench he speaks up  “Need any help with that?”

Mike bristles at the arrival.

“No thank you, I think I’ve got it…uh…” Will read the name tag he wore, “Justin.”

The man in question smiles and nods. “Cool. Just let me know if you need anything!”

“He seems nice” Will shifts in his seat as he slides the other skate over his green socks.

“Yeah, nice." Mike mutters to himself "Justin. What kind of a name is Justin? So basic. I bet he doesn’t even like rollerskating.”

His mini rant is interrupted by a hand lacing through his and pulling him up.

“ Woah -“ He slips as his wheels meet the ground and is caught by the surprisingly strong hands of Will.

“Sorry! I should’ve warned you.” Wills face is a matching pink hue.

“Hey, I’m always down for a little thrill!” Mike took the lead this time, trudging forward and pulling Will onto the rink. They frequently skated, and despite his constant clinging Mike was decently good at it. So what if he wanted to pretend so Will would help him?

The two speed across the rink, keeping each others momentum going. Mike held onto Wills hand like a lifeline as he barely stayed standing. Will on the other hand was gliding around effortlessly, laughing at Mikes tragic attempts to keep up. So what if he knew the other was lying?

As much as he tried, it was impossible for Mike not to laugh along. Wills giggles filled him with a contagious warmth.

“Stop laughing!” Mike managed between giggles, “Your gonna make me fall!”

“Well I already made you fall in love, whats one more time?” Will smirked. It wasn’t a common occurrence that Will flirted but when he did, Mike turned into jelly.

“I- you- stop!” He was certain that his face was bright red. His knees decided to ruin the moment by buckling together, causing Mike to lurch forward and knock them both down.

Will let out a loud belly laugh which Mike returned as they laid sprawled across the cold scratched floor.

“Maybe we should get you a walker,” Will suggested.

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you.”  Mike much preferred to use Will instead of some plastic with wheels.

“Hey, you two need help getting up? Quit a fall you just took.”

Mike felt his smile drop immediately. Mother fucking Justin.

“We got it! Mike just needs some more practice.” Will pointed with his head.

Justin held out his hand which much to Mikes anger, Will accepted. And they helped each other up.

Mikes frown deepened as he stood up by himself. “We don’t need your help.”

Justin shrugged, “If you say so.” He turned to Will again, “Try not to damage that pretty face of yours, would be an awful waste.” His hand briefly brushed Wills chin.

And oh if that didn’t make Mike want to start throwing hands.

“Oh uhm- thank you” Wills face burned as Justin grinned and skated away again.

Mike shot daggers at him, hands unconsciously forming fists. He turned back to Will, and took his hand, continuing to skate without a word.

As they made rings around the rink Mike tried very hard to forget about Justin. Will would never leave him for some mediocre guy he just met . Would he? He wouldn’t. But…

A small part of Mike, a small insecure part of Mike, still felt like he had something to prove. Before he could say anything, Dancing Queen by Abba came on.

Will gasped, eyes lighting up. He turned to Mike with a big childish smile.

It was the rollerskating song. It played at every rink. And even though “skater-pro” Will Byers had heard it a million times, it never got old to his ears.

He took both of Mikes hands and started spinning them, singing the words to the song out loud as the spun. Mike laughed in surprise, singing the few lyrics he knew and falling in love all over again.

The way the colorful disco lights shined down on Will, illuminating the small beads of sweat on his face, bouncing wonderfully off his golden eyes.

He was simply beautiful.

When the song was finished Will leaned against the wall to catch his breath.

“We should go sit down,” Mike wore an amused look, and, quite frankly, a proud look; for being less tired.

“Yeah,” Will panted “good idea.”

The inched across the wall to the nearest exit and sat down at an open booth.

“I wonder how many drinks have been spilled on this bench,” Mike felt it with his hand, uncomfortably notting how damp it felt.

Will plopped his head down on Mikes shoulder and continued breathing heavily.

“Jesus dude, don’t pass out on me.” Though he  said it jokingly, it was a genuine concern.

Will let out a breathy laugh, “Get me a milkshake and maybe I won’t.”

Mike immediately stood up and pulled out a 20.

“I was joking!”

“Nope, its milkshake time. No skating on an empty stomach.”

Will made a noise of protest but Mike had already made up his mind.

Much to his distain, the man behind the counter was none other than Justin.

“Do you work everywhere here?” Mike commented with an eye roll.

“Oh its you!” Justin smiled innocently. Mike glared.

“Yes its me. Get me a strawberry milkshake and leave me the hell alone.”

“Woah! Somebody’s in a bad mood.” Justin scoffed, turning to prepare the beverage.

“Whats your deal with Will anyway? Your like…an adult.”

“I’m 17.”

“Close enough. Your still a creep.”

“Im just being friendly,”

“Oh come on! Your totally flirting with him!” Mike wanted to slam his fists on the counter but didn’t feel like attracting any unwanted attention.

“And what if I am? Its all in good fun!” Justin waved his hand around.

Mike wanted to scream. Instead he took to glass and paid.

“No tip?”

“No.”

He grabbed two straws, making sure Justin saw, and walked back over to Will, who had caught his breath by now and was playing with a napkin.

“Milkshake acquired!”

Will grinned, “You really didn’t have to,”

“I was thirsty.” Mike planted a small kiss on his cheek, “And you deserve it.”

Will blushed, unwrapping his straw. “Your so sweet.”

While he was distracted with the milkshake, Mike turned to Justin who was staring and mimicked slitting his throat.

Justin frowned and turned to the customer who had just arrived.

“What does he have that I don’t?” Mike blurted.

“What?” Will looked at him in shock.

“Is it because his hair is straight?“

“Mike what are you talking about?”

“Is it because I can’t skate?”

“Mike.”

“I’m sorry I’m not as cool as him! I can do better I promise.”

“Mike!” Will grabbed his wrists and locked eyes with him.

“I love your beautiful curly hair, I love how even though your bad at skating you still go with me every time, I love how dorky you are, how funny you are, how sweet you are, I love you. I don’t know who the hell your talking about but I promise you there is nobody else for me but you.”

Mike bit his lip, “Are you sure? Because I can just straighten my hair if thats it-“

“Mike!” Will laughed lightly.  He pulled him into a tight hug. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

Mike grinned into his shoulder.

Will looked up slightly and flipped off Justin at the counter.

The rest of their evening went much smoother. Even with the brain freezes and painful falls, it was just another incredible date to add to the list of memories.