I KNOW

.

Mike stared at Will. The confession hanging between them.

"What? What are you talking about?"

Will took a breath, finally mustering every ounce of courage he could.

"…. Before. Before we found El in the desert, when I gave you the painting… what I said in the van wasn't about Eleven. It's not that I don't think she needs you… just… I thought you should know… she's not the only one who does."

Silence.

Will shifted from one foot to the other. Trying not to make a fool of himself. He played it off like nothing. His specialty.

"You know, in case something happens." He threw on a fake smile.

Mike frowned, not understanding the cryptic confession. He was quiet for a moment, trying to remember their conversation.

"Ok… who were you talking about then? Everyone?"

Will's shoulders sagged. His fake smile disappeared.

Did he really not know? Was he actually that blind?

"Me." Will pressed, desperately trying to hold back the tears. "We've been best friends since kindergarten, Mike. You really don't think I wasn't talking about me?"

Mike was silent, just staring.

Will took a breath and pushed forward. He had to get it all out now or he never would.

"You've always been there for me, like I've been there for you. You have always been my best friend, my safe place. When I was over there… on the other side… all I thought about was you. Well, you and mom… but mostly you."

Will chuckled, his nerves getting the better of himself. He shivered, totally out of his element here, and powered on through the tears and nervous laughter.

"All those times we spent in the basement, playing D&D. Our movie marathons. Being in AV club together. That's what got me through it. You got me through it."

Mike stood there, silently. Processing the information. He didn't know what to say. Still, Will waited. Each second, a piece of his heart breaking… shattering into even smaller pieces.

"You don't need to say anything. It's ok." He forced himself to say, looking down at his feet and cursing himself for even saying anything at all. Why had he listened to Jonathan? Why had he been so optimistically hopeful, and listened to that stupid stoner?

"I know… I'm sorry. This is stupid. I'm stupid-" He trailed off, it taking everything he had not to sob right now.

Why had he opened his mouth? Why had he said anything?

"No."

Will looked up suddenly, Mike was frowning at him… he wasn't angry, he just… he looked sad. He looked confused.

"No." Mike repeated, balling his fists and then releasing them. It made Will's palms sweat. "No, it's ok. We're friends… you can always talk to me about anything just… I need a second."

Will swayed on his feet, not sure of what to do. He pulled at his sleeves, pushing them up to the elbows and then pulling them down again. He was anxious. This was his best friend… since forever. He couldn't loose him. He watched Mike, turn and start pacing a little. Just wandering around. Trying to work through this.

As he did, time seemed to slow for Will. He could of smiled, if he wasn't so scared of what might come next. Scared of what might be said… or not said. He watched Mike pace, working through what had been said, trying to have it make sense. He was so predictable. Still very much the same innocent little kid he'd always been. That was part of his charm. There was an answer for everything. A silver lining.

"Mike. You don't have to say anything." Will finally waited long enough, he couldn't go on just standing here. It was excruciating.

Mike stopped short and turned quickly towards his friend. "No. No. I want to. I just-"

Will waved it off. "No, it's fine, honestly. I just… I wanted you to know. I needed you to know."

They looked at each other a moment, saying nothing. And then-

"I know." Mike replied quietly. Finally.

Will shied away, it wasn't the response he had been hoping for.

He took a breath and exhaled, steeling himself for a cold shoulder. It would be fine, he'd retreat for a while and then come back out with his friends, pretending nothing happened. Same thing he always did. It would hurt, but it would be better than loosing him all-together.

Suddenly, Will stopped. Mike's hand was on his arm.

Will looked down at Mike's hand, grasping his forearm. His eyes darted up, meeting his friend's. Mike smiled, it was small. Just a tiny little smile, but there was a glint of mirth in his eye. Will trembled.

"I know." Mike repeated. This time in a slightly deeper voice.

Will frowned for a second, not understanding. Then suddenly it clicked. His whole body trembled as he let out a short burst of nervousness laughter.

Mike was quoting Han Solo. In Empire Strikes back, before Han Solo is dipped in Carbonite, Leia confesses her love for him and all he says in return is 'I know'.

Tears filled Will's eyes as Mike's hand tightened slightly on his arm. Emphasizing his point.

Will squeezed his eyes shut, refusing to let Mike see him cry. He was so scared and happy. He wanted to hug Mike but he couldn't bring himself to move. Instead he lifted his hand and laid it on top of Mike's, giving it a little squeeze. Mike returned the gesture and gave Will a smile, ignoring the tears that leaked from his closed eyes.

"Come on. We should help the others." Mike told him quietly after a moment.

Will nodded and let him go, comforted by the way Mike's hand lingered slightly on his arm. He wiped his tears away on the sleeve of his shirt and forced himself to 'be normal'. They could talk about it later. Will didn't even need to, to be honest. He was so happy with how things had gone already.

He watched Mike walk away, heading over to help the others. Will moved to join them but hesitated. He turned, so they couldn't see his face, with the biggest, truest grin plastered all over his face. He played back their conversation in his head. As he did, he bit back another burst of nervous laughter, happy tears leaking out of his eyes.

He had told Mike that he loved him, and Mike had said 'I know'. Just like the movie. It was just like Mike.

Stupid, lame and nerdy, wonderful Mike.

"Hey, Will!"

Will turned, catching sight of Jonathan standing atop the pile of scrap metal they were gathering, waving his arm like an idiot.

"Are you helping us or what?"

Will still couldn't get the smile off his face, but it didn't matter. The look from his brother said it all. That wasn't so bad after-all, was it? Jonathan grinned, not even daring to hide it. He had seen it. He knew. Things were good. Things were ok. Will laughed to himself again, still full of excited nervousness, as he finally headed over to help the others. For the first time, in a long time, actually feeling like himself.

Perfectly weird and amazing… but always unapologetically Will Byers.

: For Jo