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Never say Mike Wheeler is oblivious, sure he might be a bit slow on the take, but things usually work themselves out. It's always so exhilarating to watch someone struggling with something that's right in front of them—still failing to notice it. And then suddenly they realise that it's everything they've always wanted. Maybe even better than that.
Today is not a normal day for Mike. He showers with extra care to his face, smiles when the water hits his skin, the smile one would describe as nothing but serene, as if everything is falling into place, finally date is doing what it always meant to do. After all, today is the biggest day of his life.
He picks out the suit that Will helped him to select, after about 3 hours of intense inspection. Mike's heart warms when he thinks about the day, how both of them were laughing together. Will's shy smile, his cheeks stained warm red. Reminds him of the cherry popsicle they used to buy from the vendor, by their middle school. And Mike couldn't decide what even Will ever saw in awkward clumsy Michael Wheeler, with a bushy overgrown haircut—sure he might have his moments but still makes Mike wonder. It might have been luck. Or something kinder.
The suit fits a bit awkwardly now that Mike notices, but it doesn't matter much to him. It is a big day for Will—and Mike too—he is sure he can suffer in an ill-fitting suit for the ceremony.
“Shit.” Mike cursed as he saw the time, the ceremony starts in an hour and he's late. Yea Mike Wheeler you're still a fuck up. Twenty nine and still late, on a day like this?
His phone started to ring. Mike hastily picks it up. As he slips on his dress shoes. And still not getting the loops in the first try, it's something he never got the hang of.
“Yes, yes, yes—shit—no I'm fine, yea, I'm on my way, yes for god's sake. Yes! I'll be there! I know we cannot start without me, yes max!” Mike hastily grabs his keys and leaves for the venue. He cannot remember if he closed his door. “I can't turn back, fuck.”
The phone rings again.
“Max for goodness sake i cannot teleport—”
“Mike?”
Oh.
His voice will always have the power to undo Michael Wheeler, and it's a fact he has made his peace with.
“Will.” Mike breathes.
“Where are you? Did you oversleep?” There's a fond sigh at the end, telling Mike, he isn't really annoyed. Willam Byers, always so injurious for his health.
“No..” Mike winces at how unconvincing his voice sounds.
“Of course you did, you know how important today is ? I know you do not care about the 'institution of marriage'—”
Oh shit.
“Will. I care. Of course I care. You are the one who wants this institution of marriage, ofcourse I care. I'm sorry I'll be there, I'll be there in 10.” Mike could hear people calling Will for will in the background. “Seriously, I won't be late. I promise. Friends don't lie, yeah?”
“Yea, okay i have to go there is some issue with the cake— I swear if you're not here in five minutes.”
“Make it eight.”
“Eight.”
It takes him 9 minutes to reach and he will count it as a win.
The venue looks beautiful, the garden wedding, something Will always wanted, surrounded by people he loves. He walked towards the Isle and he can see Will watching him. Will is shining. It hurts to watch. William Byers will always be the shining star in Mike's life.
He barely registered as Robin takes her to start the ceremony. And a dazzling smile breaks upon Will's face as he turns towards the man who's not Mike. Will's hand slips into his creating a scene which was never Mike's to begin with.
Never say Michael Wheeler is oblivious, he notices when his presence ruins everything and so he keeps his mouth shut even when everything he wants to say is I've always loved you, I always wanted you too please don't leave me. Why wouldn't you stay ?
“Do you take….”
But he noticed he always noticed how his love always destroyed everything it touched. It must be the Wheelers curse, they never get their ending at the end.
“For better, for worse..”
They're the one who becomes another face, the one before the one, his love destroyed Eleven and his love is what made Will miserable for far too long.
“In sickness and in health..”
Michael Wheeler is not oblivious; he stands as the best man beside his best friend, as vows are exchanged, wishing, he was the one standing there. He watches and thinks I've loved you and buried it this long without you noticing. I've watched you cry over a wretched carcass who never deserved your love. I've watched you suffer, I watched you heal.
I always watch you, Mike thinks as a tear rolls down his eyes, I did, I do, I'll always do.
“I do.”