Will got up the morning after the amazing Hellfire campaign with a brimming smile. Today was his birthday and he wondered how his special day was going to be. It helped that today was Saturday so he had a bit more freedom on how he could spend it. Above all else there was someone he wanted to spend his day with more than anyone. It was kind of stupid for him to think this birthday would be grand but oddly he felt optimistic and he wanted to be positive on his 15th birthday.

Five had been up before Will and he had so much he wanted to give him. Will had been such a good friend to him and he was still grateful for all he did for him. The first thing he would be giving Will was a very special present he was bound to love. He found where he hid the gift and went to meet Will in the kitchen for breakfast.

"Morning Will. Happy Birthday! Here's to…um...many more." Five stammered slightly.

He was still a bit awkward since celebrating birthdays was still odd to him. It was good he was experiencing them but he still wasn't fully used to it. Will smiled a bit since he knew Five was trying to get into the spirit even if it was hard for him to do so. His eyes glanced at the wrapped gift in amazement since it was a bit on the larger side.

"Thanks. I don't know what to expect from today." Will admitted.

Five handed the gift and sat down on Will's bed.

" Well I hope you will like my surprise for later so no matter how it pans out you will have a few good memories. Don't stress too much, just enjoy what you can. My dad used to say that worrying over the unknown will only keep you from your potential. In your case it will just hinder your enjoyment if you worry too much" Five assured him.

Will nodded in agreement and slowly unwrapped his gift. His eyes widened once he saw it was an art set. It looked to be a professional art kit with pencils, paints, pastels, and markers. There was even a sketchpad for his new art and Will was deeply touched by the gift as he trailed his fingers along the supplies.

"W-Whoa…Five you really didn't have to get this. This must have been a fortune." Will expressed in a somewhat undeserving tone.

"Good thing I work my ass off then since you really should deserve the best." Five said with a smirk

"Still Five…you didn't have to get me this. There's so much you could use your money for." he shared.

Will wouldn't lie, he loved the art kit and it made him feel special knowing Five cared for him so much. He was a sweet and mindful person and how they were friends was an ultimate sign of luck existing.

" No worries. It's worth it since it makes you happy. Now you can draw all those adventures and comics you want." Five said with peaked interest in his eyes,

"So that you can read them?" Will quipped with a light smile, chuckling since Five was gaining a growing interest in comics and in fantasy.

He was honored Five liked his art and stories, something he thought Five wouldn't gravitate too. Five was becoming his greatest supporter, after his mom of course, and he truly liked how Five was outgoing but also developing a tender and kinder side.

" Well yea I need my mind stimulated in ways that don't involve school. A mind can get stale if you don't pursue other interests." Five sassed playfully.

Will didn't know why, but that made him blush in some ways. It was strange but he was starting to want more of Five's attention and perhaps a selfish part of him never wanted Five to return home. They went to the breakfast table to eat with Joyce and Jonathan. Will's mother gave him a new set of dice and a new notebook for DnD while Jonathan gave Will some new tapes and some new comics. Will's morning was already a fun one and he wondered just what else would be in store for his birthday.

Five ate his breakfast feeling happy as usual in the mornings. Having breakfast with an actual family that loves each other was very different from his family. He did like it a lot, knowing someone cared about little things in his life he was taught to ignore and avoid. Part of him missed his siblings but another part of him wanted to stay in this time with a family that cared about him, even over the little annoying things that were ordinary.

Will was a bit in his thoughts since he wondered what Five planned for a surprise. He also wondered why by now he hadn't gotten a call from Dustin or Mike. Lucas he could understand since they bailed on him last night, but Dustin and Mike would have remembered wouldn't they.

"What's on your mind Will?" Five asked

Will sighed a bit and shared,

"Just thought I would have gotten a call from Dustin or Mike by now. It's not like them to forget my birthday."

He felt a tiny pit in his stomach since he hoped maybe they were still just exhausted from last night and maybe would see him later. He couldn't lie and say that maybe things were changing but that's a thought he didn't want to have.

" Look Will, I know it hurts but if they forgot it's on them. Don't blame yourself. Who forgets their best friend's birthday, I didn't that's for sure."

Will was a bit bothered by that but Five was just blunt like that. It wasn't like them so Will was confident they would remember. They wouldn't after all they had been through.

"So does that mean I'm your best friend?" Will mused.

Five was caught off guard since he never had a best friend. His siblings wouldn't count and he never had someone outside the academy care for him as a person before his time travel trip. He glanced over to Will and chuckled a bit softly.

" I mean, well if you think that then yeah, I would consider us best friends." Five stammered a bit.

Feelings and expressing them was not his strong suit and he often felt a lot when with Will. They were friends and Five would see Will as his best friend as well as his first friend. Will laughed a bit softly at Five's word since…it was almost cute how Five stammered, given he rarely did so. Cute though…why was he thinking that about his new best friend. The phone rang and Will raced to answer it.

"Hello?"

" Hi Will. It's El. Happy Birthday! Are you having a good morning?"

"Hey. Yeah in some ways. Five's planning something but not sure what yet. Just hope we can all meet after. You heard from Mike this morning?"

" No, not yet. Max called me earlier, and said she will call you too. She wants to have lunch with you and me if you're free?" El asked.

"Of course. Five and I will join you both for lunch once we end whatever Five's planning…Do you know what he's planned?"

"No, he said it was special but he did not tell me. I hope it's fun. Did he give you a gift?" El asked.

He glanced at Five who was still eating and smiled a bit lightly.

"Yeah, a wonderful art kit. Almost professional even." he told her in a low voice.

"That's good. I am happy for you Will. I will see you later. Happy Birthday. Have fun with Five."

Moments after hanging up, the phone rang again. Based on what El told him, he had a good guess who was on the other line. He picked up the phone and answered,

"Hey Max."

" Hey Will. Happy Birthday! How's it going?" Max asked.

"Pretty well. Five's being all top secret with where he's taking me but I'm sure it will be fun. I already told El we would all grab lunch, all being the four of us I mean."

" Yea totally. I got a gift for you too and so does El. Have fun at your special thing Will. Five's really cool. I know Lucas and Mike are being stupid kids but Five actually pays attention and it annoys them." Max chuckled

"Yeah they are sometimes stupid I know; Mike with his stubbornness and Lucas on his little popularity conquest. I'm not going to lie; Five's been very good to me and I hope we can be friends for a long time Max."

Max knew Five didn't belong in his time and that perhaps he would want to go home. However, she didn't want to ruin Will's day with the truth.

" Yea me too. I hope the guys realize that you're awesome before they lose you, and not to a demogorgon or whatever." Max chuckled

"I've had enough of those for a long time. But yeah where should we meet for lunch? I know with Five we won't be late but where?"

"Maybe the diner near the arcade unless you prefer something else. You're the birthday boy so you can pick" Max said

"Yeah that sounds good to me. See you both at 1."

Will hung up and once they were done with breakfast, he and Five went to the woods in the back of their house. Wherever they were going, Five had to be using his powers to take them somewhere. Will's excitement intensified when Five has a meaningful little smirk and he was running numbers in his head.

"Okay I know that look…what are you planning?"

"You're going to like where we are going, so don't worry. Plus you may get inspiration." Five said with a smile

Will just took Five's word and he grabbed onto Five's arm. Inspiration he thought? Five teleported them to a private area outside the Metropolitan Museum. He did think of maybe just teleporting inside without tickets but he knew Will would not be comfortable with it. Will loved art and what better place than one of the best art museum's in the country. No way he would have been able to go within his own devices now so why not use his powers in a considerate and maybe life changing way.

" Let's get tickets" Five said with a smile

Will was stunned; stunned he was in New York but stunned more that Five was taking him to the art museum. This was truly astounding that he was going to see wonderful art pieces he's only heard about or seen in books.

"Five, you're really…I-I'm…"

Will was speechless, absolutely speechless and truly felt…happy to a point he almost felt tears. Five put an arm around him and knew that Will loved his surprise.

"Thought this would be a good place to take you. You can see art that's not shown anywhere you've probably been." Five expressions.

He liked seeing Will happy and it kind of made his heart race. Regardless if others remember his birthday but he wanted Will to have the best memories of today. Once they got their tickets, they explored every floor of the museum. Will was amazed by the fine paint strokes of some pieces and the composition of others. He wished he had a camera but he was truly going to do his best to commit the pieces he sees to his memory. It meant so much that a simple boy from Hawkins was in one of the best art museums in the country and Five was right, he was truly inspired by the sights here. They were in front of a Monet painting and Will couldn't help but wonder something.

"So these jumps…we could end up anywhere on Earth?" Will asked.

Five nodded.

" Spatial jumps I understand and are easy enough, temporal ones were the problem since well I ended up where I am technically not supposed to." Five expressed.

Will smiled and glanced at the wonderful paint strokes of this amazing piece.

"I just…can't believe we are here. Part of me wondered if I would never leave Hawkins you know…this is a dream for me." Will told him softly as he stared in admiration of the art in front of him.

Five knew he was changing time and history in his attempts to make Will happy. He didn't know what Will's life was supposed to be like before his jump and Five knew that no one is insignificant in time. Were his actions changing this for the better or was he letting his need for a friend cloud his normally sound judgment.

"Have you thought about what you want to do after graduating from that very mediocre place? I mean you could do so much if you wanted." Five said

Will thought for a moment and nodded, if a bit unsure of how much he believed in his plans.

"I would maybe want to go to college for art or writing, maybe both but…who else would want to see what I create. You know what some of the kids call me; what if more people outside our town think the same way?" he asked.

Five nodded but he also knew that no matter where Will goes there will always be people that may cut him down.

"Close minded people will be everywhere Will, small town is just kind of an obvious place for it though. Don't hang around people like that. Besides the people that will become fans will be greater than those people who will cut you down. " Five expressed.

Will nodded and he asked,

"What about you? I mean if you go back…would you still want to be a hero or would you want to do something else?" Will asked.

Five shook his head and really thought about his time here. He truly missed out on so much and he was finding beauty and purpose in the content and ordinary. As much as he loved his powers, they were the only thing most people saw; especially his father. What good is money and fame if it hardens you to companionship and isolates you in loathing and disdain for others.

"If I learned anything from being here, it's that I don't want to end up like dad. He has all the money in the world and he is a bitter, careless, selfish old man. I don't care if I'm not rich or famous. I want a good life with a job I enjoy maybe a small house." Five said looking at Will with soft eyes

"I know I would want dogs since they are just great pets. Somehow I hope we can remain friends…wishful thinking I know but I know I've been living a better life with you in it."

Five smiled and patted Will on shoulder, putting on his best smile for his dear friend.

" I'm glad you're my friend too. I am still new to this making friends part but I enjoy having people in my life to teach me things. You're a great guy. Will never let anyone make you feel less." Five assured.

He didn't want to tell Will but he has been working on a formula to try to return to his time. What would he be returning to though, his father who never cared about him or his siblings that he would compete with, being a superhero with no ties to the outside world unless allowed or at least until he is old enough.. He wasn't sure he wanted to go back as of late but he knows he has to at least dabble and try working on the formula.

"If anything; you and the others make me feel more and that I can actually do something…thanks."

When they finished their time at the museum, Five blipped them back to Hawkins so they could meet El and Max at the diner. Will was very chipper and El could see that Five must have taken him someplace wonderful.

"You're not going to believe where Five took us. Man, I still can't believe it." he beamed as he sat down in the booth across from El and Max.

" Did he take you to outer space or something?" Max asked curiously.

Will shook his head.

"Five took me to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York." Will told them with a wide smile.

The girls' eyes widened and Five just nodded nonchalantly.

"Holy shit for real, you can go anywhere in the world or something?" Max asked happily grin

Five chuckled and nodded.

"I mean yea? Part of my little accident was also spatial since…do you see me growing up in Hawkins in my time?" Five sasses.

" Oh of course Mr. Big Shot here is too good for a small town. How he graces us with his presence." Max mocked jokingly.

El smiled a bit and looked at Max. Five was out of time in a sense and he did stand out among people. She enjoyed his company and he was such a good friend, given how much he cares for Will.

"Well he sometimes does sound different from us doesn't he, but he is charming and sweet." El complimented.

"Ya he is cool, he is smart too, half the teachers at school think he is genius." Max said.

"You flatter me, but we aren't here for me today. We are here for the birthday boy. Besides I wanted to take him out of this town so he could always remember this birthday fondly." Five shared.

Max admired Five in a way. People could see his gesture today as showing off, but something about Five treating Will was just so sweet and special. It was sincere, the warmth Five had for Will it was just something Max didn't see a lot among guy friends.

" I know guys give you crap but I am glad Will has you as a friend, not just because of your powers. Plus you did show him what life can be like outside here." Max said with a smile

Will smiled and he sat a bit closer to Five.

"Yeah, now that I've had a taste of it…it inspires me to want to get out of here when I'm older. But for now, I am glad to be here."

They enjoyed their meal of burgers, chicken tenders and fries before moving on to gifts. Will got Max's gift first and he started to unwrap it.

" I saw this in the store when mom and I were out of town shopping and I thought you would enjoy reading it" Max said.

It was an adventure fantasy book. I wasn't thin but not overly thick either and the cover art was engaging to the eye too.

"I love this Max, thanks; I wonder what this book will be like and it's one of a series too."

Will looked inside El's bag and he got out a little gnome plush in a wizard's robe and hat with a tiny little scepter.

" I saw this, and it was very nice. I thought since you like that game you and Mike and others play you can have this like a reminder." El said softly.

She was new to the world but Hop taught her about money and she knew Will enough. She hoped her gift wasn't stupid

Will smiled and he looked over the plush.

"Perhaps when Will the Wise is old, he will be like this little gnome. I do like this El, it's very sweet." he told her. El laughed.

"You like it? Really?" El asked.

"I do, it's very sweet and thoughtful. That's all that matters in gifts and I know you thought about it." he told her.

"Plus I can definitely see it…old but still packing a punch." Five mused, tugging on the little hat.

Max looked around and sighed in annoyance. She couldn't believe Mike, Lucas, and Dustin just forgot and didn't even bother calling.

"I'm sure they will be stopping by. I gave Mike's mom a message to have them come here. If he doesn't…I will be mad too." El told her.

"That's sweet and all but you shouldn't need to do that, they are supposed to remember it without a reminder." Max expressed.

"Well Lucas won that game and we won our campaign so I can understand maybe it slipping a little. I'm sure they didn't forget." Will expressed with a weak little smile.

They were all almost ready to leave the diner when they heard the door chime open. Will looked towards the door and saw Mike, Dustin, and Lucas enter; out of breath.

"Hey man, we are sooo sorry! We tried calling when we got up but you were already out. Happy Birthday!" Dustin exclaimed and hugged Will.

Will hugged back cheerfully and he looked at Lucas.

"Congrats on the win…sorry I wasn't there." Will told him.

Lucas nodded and he looked to Max apologetically. Her glare was cold and this caused Lucas to sigh.

"I know I haven't been a good friend and yes, it hurts that you all didn't make my game…but it did feel nice to win the game for them. Now that the season is over, I swear I'm going to try and be better. I missed everyone." Lucas told them.

"Yeah well actions speak louder." Max told him.

Mike then looked at Will a bit sheepishly since he really should have been the first person to realize it was Will's birthday today. How he let it escape him was truly awful.

"I'm so sorry! I tried calling you when I realized what I forgot but you were already out. Happy birthday…please don't be mad." Mike stated with a frown.

Will shook his head and answered,

"I knew you all wouldn't forget completely, what friends could do that. And yeah sorry….Five took me to an art museum for my birthday so we weren't home all morning."

Dustin raised an eyebrow and questioned,

"There aren't many good art museums in Hawkins…."

He trailed off when he saw Five smirking and Dustin realized what Five did.

"No way! You took Will out with your powers?" he exclaimed in a whisper.

Five nodded as he popped a fry in his mouth.

"Yes, The Met in New York. He often talks about it with me and I wanted to make his day."

Mike scoffed a bit at that but saw just how happy Will was and he really couldn't be an asshole by calling out Five on showing off.

"Sounds like it was awesome. I'm glad you got to see the museum Will, I know you always wanted to go and now you have."

"Yeah I know, I'm so inspired to draw more now and I have new ideas thanks to Five." he expressed softly.

Five smiled at that and Dustin couldn't help but see just how happy Will was.

"We still have to do something today…hey how about we do the arcade?" Dustin asked.

"You're never beating my score." Max told them with a chuckle.

"Never say never. Then we can do a movie at Mike's and give you our gifts." Dustin told him.

After hanging out with his friends, Will was almost ready to just have a loving dinner with his mom, brother, and Five but there was one last thing Five wanted to show him. Five asked Will to meet him at Castle Byers for one last gift. He had been planning this and even asked Jonathan and Mrs. Byers for some advice and tips. He waited outside and Will shortly joined him. and Will was very giddy and curious as to what Five was planning now. He had already given so much and made this day one to remember so this was just extra.

"You don't have to do much more Five. I'm thankful for the art kit and the art museum trip. Mom was both happy yet angry you took me out of state though." he laughed a bit. Five chuckled.

Dustin let it slip that he took Will to New York. While Joyce was happy Will had fun, she still scolded Five for taking him without her permission or knowledge. Next time he had to tell Joyce where he would take Will with his powers, which was fair and would do it…for the most part.

"Well this gift isn't just from me. I had this planned but I did ask your mom and your brother for advice and ideas. I hope you like it". Five said and got a somewhat large paper out of his backpack.

" Here."

Will opened the paper and at first he didn't know what he was looking at. Once the whole picture was in view, his eyes widened. He looked to Five, then around his little castle fort and then back at the paper.

"Is this…Five you're not serious…are you?" he asked.

" Uh then that would be a waste of paper. I have been working on this for a bit and we will need supplies to make it and at least decorate it. I figure Castle Byers needs an upgrade." Five expressed.

It was more than just an upgrade, Will thought, this was an overhaul; a new castle that seemed to be more like an elaborate yet grounded tree house in a sense. It would have a much better roof, more room, and Five even made notes on colors and wall plans on the side, making him smile and start to cry.

" Is my blueprinting that bad?" Five asked.

Five wasn't used to crying, his sister cried when his brothers stepped on ants in early years. He didn't know how to handle tears and hoped he didn't insult Will with wanting to give him a new castle so to speak.

"No the opposite really. I love these plans…I will admit this old castle does have a leak problem…and it might grow cramp with the both of us growing and all." Will spoke and wiped his tears away.

" Well yes with this, you can host more friends. You have to admit this castle is a bit cozy and not for a lot of people." Five explained.

"Yeah, maybe we can even have this be a DnD spot so Mike doesn't always have to be the sole space when summer hits…Wait when are we building this since we have school and you work." he asked.

Five thought this through and shared,

"Well we can maybe make it our summer project, I mean if we really grind our noses it can get done in a few weeks. Jonathan said he would help us before he goes off to college."

Will smiled softly and loved the sound of the plan. It also meant that Five would be with him for another summer at least, which made his heart flutter and yet at ease.

"You really know how to make someone feel special…I know you didn't have friends back home, but you're being such an amazing friend to me. Sometimes I wonder if I am enough of a friend to you sometimes since…you're just so amazing." Will told him.

Five chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck bashfully.

" Well… you're a cool guy Will, you're my first real friend outside the academy… sentiment isn't my strong suit .. but I do value our friendship a lot. I feel like I overcompensate though since I'm not used to this" Five said

"I know…guess we're more alike. We just want to be accepted and not lose anything else from the changes that happened to us; me with the Upside Down and you getting stuck in time. You're truly bringing out a new side to me and…I never want to forget you."

Will felt his heart racing and his cheeks warming a bit. He hoped he wasn't scaring off Five with his emotions but he meant every word. A part of Will thought if this is how his brother felt about Nancy and if so…holy shit Will thought with slight nerves. Five was unaware of Will's shift in emotions and just smiled back at the sentiment Will shared.

" Thanks, that's.. Nice of you to say and I won't forget you either. You're a terrific guy." Five said.

He was more than that, Five thought. Will was funny, sensitive, observant and caring. He enjoyed spending everyday with Will and it was him that would be the hardest to leave. He had to go home.

Will smiled and gave Five a hug. He truly felt happy and…safe in Five's arms. Whatever was happening with him, Will didn't know whether to be happy or scared of how he was starting to feel about his best friend. It felt wonderful yet also sickening since was he supposed to feel these warm, fluffy, and sweet things about his male best friend.

"We should get back before mom thinks you're taking me to Paris or something." Will jokes.

" Yea she kinda scolded me for not telling her in advance for taking you to a big city like New York. Kind of want to avoid the inquisition." Five chuckled.

They went inside and had a nice, peaceful dinner with Jonathan and Will's mom. Afterwards they had cake, showered, and went to bed in Will's room.

The night was a success Five thought and smiled to himself as he and Will eventually turned in…well Will more likely. Five slipped out his notes from his pillow and started to jot things under the light of a flashlight. He felt a gut wrenching feeling getting a few lines into formula and code and shoved it back in his pillow in frustration. Tears were almost escaping from Five since he should want to go home, he wanted to go home didn't he? Yet when he glanced over to Will, his dear friend sleeping soundly in his bed; there was no way he could leave him. He had to leave and be back in his own time, that was what his head was telling him but his heart was telling him to fuck it all and remain here. The more he gave to Will, the more he grew connected to him. Five sighed and that caused Will to stir.

"Five, you okay?" he mumbled softly.

Five smiled at Will and spoke,

"Yeah…couldn't sleep. You had a good day?"

"One of the best. Thanks to you."

Five heart warmed up and he felt his eyes starting to droop.

"Yeah, same here Will. Sorry I woke you, night."

"Night Five."

As Five succumbed to sleep, he knew this day was a turning point. It was more than Will's birthday but a day that was starting to have Five questioning everything he knew and what he truly wanted. He thought going back in time was a mistake but maybe…he ended up as he was supposed to be. Above all else…Will and him were best friends and that wasn't going to change.