Finding My Peace

Disclaimer: Provided Will survives S5, I could potentially see this being a thing for him to do once High School is over with.

When the time finally came for him to graduate from Lenora Hills High, Will Byers had breathed out a sigh of relief. As it meant he was free, free to do something he'd been long thinking about since roughly before Senior year had started. Namely, wanting to find a way to be at peace within himself and he knew he wouldn't be able to find it in Lenora Hills. Nor would he be able to do so in Hawkins, namely on account of the fact it was now one big wreck that had been declared an uninhabitable disaster area following the final confrontation with Henry Creel/01/Vecna and the Upside Down. An event that had taken a lot of lives in the process, Ted Wheeler among them after he had surprised everyone by jumping in the line of fire to keep them safe. They had thankfully gotten Max back after El had spent a lot of time in the Void searching for her, now it helped that without Vecna's influence, Max had been able to escape the mental prison she'd been in since that night in the Creel House. But despite her being back, the damage was still there.

For she was still blind, unable to walk, and in need of serious help where her mental trauma was concerned but with the support of the Party, she would make it through. The rest of the Party and their families, in addition to Steve and Robin had chosen to move to Lenora Hills with the Byers/Hopper Clan following the loss of Hawkins and after everything that had happened, El finally no longer had to worry about anyone either wanting to kill or use her following a direct order from the President himself. And while Will still felt a certain way about Mike, he never confessed his feelings towards his long time friend. For he feared losing his friend and had no desire to potentially ruin his sister's happiness where Mike was concerned. Will also felt that perhaps time away from all he knew would help him finally let go of what he felt towards Mike and maybe even explore his Sexuality if the opportunity presented itself while he was away. His mother didn't like the idea of him leaving at all but she eventually came to understand why he had to leave and Jonathan had wanted to come with him but understood why he couldn't as Will had to do this on his own.

His friends, El especially, like his mother, hadn't been all that enthused about his decision to leave Lenora to find his peace of mind but they all eventually came around to the idea. It probably helped that El promised to seek him out in the Void to check on him to see if he was okay but would privately tell Will later that she only said that to make the Party and the adults feel better about his being on his own. For she knew him being checked on was the last thing he needed and understood why he needed to do this considering her own experiences, even if it was for the right reasons, earning herself a tight hug from her brother. And so, he set off for the world outside of Lenora Hills and would spend some of that early time of his journey in San Francisco and have quite the learning experiences there regarding his sexual preferences. Something that provided him a little bit of that peace of mind he's searching for. Will would eventually leave the state of California and travel the country, meeting various people and earning money under the table so to speak when the need arose.

His travels allowed Will to encounter various ways one can hope to find peace within themselves and building the foundations to help him find his peace of mind. Becoming Zen as one individual pointed out in Wisconsin. Eventually, Will's travels brought him to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he'd see his supposed dad for the first time in years. Something the man himself was surprised on. "I'm actually here to do this."

"Do what?" Asked the man in confusion and would get his answer when he found himself on the ground after getting punched hard in the face.

"That. Something that you've long deserved from the Sons you treated terribly and abandoned."

"Hmm… The Byers boys sure are handsome." Purred Lonnie's long time girlfriend and gained a look of disgust from Will in return.

"That's just creepy."

And with that, Will made his leave to continue on his journey, ignoring Lonnie as he did so and feeling even lighter than before and feeling rather happy about it. And though apprehensive about it, Will would head towards Hawkins as he had to face that place for a final time. Even if he or others wasn't allowed to enter the town thanks to the blockade surrounding it. He'd ultimately give the place the bird before telling it goodbye one last time and by this point, Will had been on his journey for a year and had made a handfull of calls and sent a few letters back home to his loved ones. He also hadn't shaved in some time either but honestly, he liked the look and figured he'd get rid of it when he finally went home. Now, as he was leaving the state of Indiana, he'd make a friend, one who was heading to Canada for that matter and Will decided to tag along with said new friend to the small town of Letterkenny. Where Will would surprisingly find himself falling in love there with a resident by the name of Campbell and be shocked to discover that Hermaphroditism is a thing.

And while it would take him a little bit of time to wrap his head around it despite his own Sexuality and his Upside Down experiences, he'd ultimately find it didn't matter thanks to his feelings for Campbell. Will's peace within himself would grow stronger and would remain in Letterkenny for several months before ultimately deciding it was time to return home in Lenora Hills after sending out a letter announcing he was finally coming home. Even convincing Campbell to come with him and thankfully, They'd agree to it. Excitement was high in the air for the Byers+Party due to the fact Will was finally coming home, even if there was some disappointment that a few of them wouldn't be there for his return due to College or other reasons but assurances were made that they would it made known to Will that they were happy he was finally back. And when Will knocked on the door of the home he hadn't seen in practically 2 years as he wanted to surprise his mom, to say she was confused by his appearance due to still having not shaved would be accurate. "Hi, mom." He told her softly as he took her in.

"W-Will?"

He nodded in silence while Campbell watched on with a smile on Their face. Joyce's hands covered her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes as a curious Max made her way over to the front door. "Oh, WILL!" Cried out Joyce as she hugged her son tightly.

"Holy shit, the Wise Man's back!?"

"I am, Mad Max. And you'll get a hug yourself here in a minute. Or ten." Will told her somewhat teasingly while hugging his tearful and happy mom.

"Ugh, hugs." Fake groaned a happy and smiling Max, making him smile before she went off to get the Walkie that was always specifically situated in one place in each member of the Party's homes so that she could get it with ease.

Will could hear her seconds later on the Walkie letting everyone know that he's finally got his ass home and he couldn't help but chuckle as his mom let go of him and looked him over. "You need a shave and a haircut, sweetheart."

"So I've been told, a lot." He replied good naturedly.

"And keep being told until you do it!" Called out Campbell teasingly, causing Joyce to take notice of Them and grow quite curious.

Prompting Will to introduce his 'girlfriend', a title that didn't describe Them but considering certain view points and not being all that sure how his mom and everyone else would react outside of El, Jonathan, and Robin, they'd talked about how best to handle the introductions where Campbell and their relationship was concerned. Joyce was happy as could be to meet Campbell and so would everyone else as they all got to meet Them, El and Jonathan were especially happy that their Brother had finally found not only the Peace and Healing he'd been after, but Love as well. Will would also feel relief that he no longer felt a certain way towards Mike and that he could just focus on their years old friendship without the worry of more than friendly feelings being around. It wouldn't be until years later when Will had become a successful Artist and when Society was more accepting that he and Campbell would finally come out to their loved ones. Leaving all of them aside from Jonathan, El, and Robin rather shocked!

Causing those three to explain that they'd known for years and thankfully, the nature of their relationship and their individual status' would be accepted. As how could their loved ones do otherwise? Especially after all they'd been through back when they were younger. This would also help finally seal the deal for Will where his inner Peace was concerned as he no longer had to worry about his friends and family not accepting him when they so clearly do.

Author's Notes: Gotta admit, I'm a little nervous about this story because I know folks are bound to be a little pissy considering this isn't a Will/Mike thing in the end but I just don't see Byler ever happening. That's just my own personal opinion and NOT me being homophobic. None the less, I hope folks enjoyed.