Spring soon gave way to summer and throughout it Will was completely torn about what he was feeling. He wanted to really enjoy the moments he had with his brother and Five building his new deluxe Castle Byers but things were going to change and were already changing. Jonathan was a big help in building the new fort giving his skills in woodshop and Will truly admired how much work Jonathan was putting into it. Will knew Jonathan would be going to college with Nancy soon and he wouldn't be around as much to help or give advice in person. He needed him though now more than ever as he was very…conflicted on his feelings, especially about Five. He didn't want Five to leave and yet Five probably missed his family more than he led on. Yet Will wanted Five to remain in Hawkins, remain with him…he admired Five and perhaps was feeling something no normal boy should feel about their male best friend.
Will and Jonathan were relaxing in the nearly completed fort or 'Castle' while Five offered to pick up food. Jonathan glanced over to Will, who was reading a comic and he gently placed it on his lap so Will would look at him.
"You're going to have a really nice place here once it's all done. I liked the other one true, but mom and I won't worry about you getting a draft or a cold from a leaking roof."
Will smiled weakly and nodded in agreement. Jon could see through his brother's smile; more so since he could hear a sniffle come from him. He sighed and put an arm around his brother and pulled him into a hug.
"This isn't only about me going to college is it?"
Will nodded and stroked his wrist.
"I should be happy and I am very happy about all this but I just feel this is all going to end soon. I'm making a lot of good new memories to get rid of my trauma from the Upside Down…but a huge part of that is because of Five. He's been so…amazing to me and he's grown to be a very close friend in such a short time. I just don't want to lose him but he probably wants to go home more than anything. I'm just so selfish for wanting him to stay here, stay with me but I don't think I can handle him leaving. It's too much to think about but it's always in the back of my mind."
Jonathan was caught off guard since his last talk to Five about his time formula was only yesterday and he was nowhere near close to figuring the equation out. Will was tearing up and Jonathan only held on to him tighter.
"Whoa…did he actually talk to you about going home and that he wants to? Did he even share that he has a way to return to his time?"
Will shook his head but he sighed very deeply. Five used to talk so much about how him being in this time period was a mistake and that he didn't belong here. He often discussed how him being here could impact, influence, or change time. Will didn't want to share this with Five, but he did make an impact, specifically with him. At no point before Five's arrival did Will ever feel so confident in his artistic abilities. He wasn't open to the possibility that he could perhaps step foot out of this town, let alone leave it for his dreams. Five's and his trip to New York opened him to believe anything could be possible, Five made him believe anything could be possible. He felt his whole being starting to blossom from within and really was breaking out of the very sheltered and protective shell he had around him. Yet all of this was because he met Five and he was scared to lose him and become that shy, weak, meek, and sad boy before meeting him.
"No he didn't but I'm just worried you know. There's going to be a day where Five is going to figure out how to get home and he will just leave without a word. It's going to break my heart when he does Jon."
"Do you honestly think he is really going to be that much of an asshole to you? You're his best friend, he tells me as such all the time. If he ever finds a way, he would at least tell you but I am seeing you don't want him to go."
Will nodded and felt like crying again.
"Am I selfish for wanting him to remain with me forever?"
Jonathan shook his head.
"You're not and I don't even think you are. From what we heard Five talk about his family, he really sounds like he doesn't want to go back. They might be his family but there's no…warmth you know. It's like we never want to see our dad again despite the fact he is family; Five can be on that train of thought."
"Yeah but he has siblings; brothers and sisters that might be missing him. I would feel awful for wishing Five never figures out the formula to go home."
Jonathan thought for a moment and he looked at his brother. Honestly, he hoped Five wouldn't return to his time either. He looked at how he treated Will and Five honestly was a great friend. Despite his smartass nature to most people, he was genuinely sweet, thoughtful, and caring. Even though Jonathan had been protective of Will and thus was wary of Five; now he trusted Will with Five when he would be off to college. In some ways, he's become family to them and him someday leaving would make them all feel hollow but also crush his little brother.
"Maybe if he brings up the formula or if the time does come for him when he does figure it out…maybe make a case for him to stay. I mean he's a smart guy and he would hear you out. I don't see him wanting to go back to being mistreated by his dad or forced to become part of whatever team he was a part of. He seems too happy being just a normal guy with his hobbies, love of science and music, and really just being around you."
"You think I would be enough of a reason for him to stay?" he asked.
Jonathan didn't know what Will meant at first and Will felt his lip quiver a bit and he felt his body tremble.
"What do you mean?" Jonathan questioned.
Will took a deep breath but his whole body was shaking and his heart was racing with nerves.
"I-I may be feeling things for him Jon…things that you feel for Nancy but about Five." Will admitted.
It took Jonathan some time until it clicked what Will was saying. People had been calling Will queer, a fairy, and a faggot all his life and that really hurt him that they were picking on his brother that way. However all those terms were hateful; Will himself was sharing with him that he might be feeling romantic feelings towards Five, another boy. In all honesty, Jonathan wasn't bothered by the news at all. Will was different, but a very good different with his art, taste in music, his hobbies and his compassion for others. So what if Will maybe liked guys, more specifically Five, Will wasn't going to hurt anyone. His brother was still his brother and Jonathan was going to be there and support him.
"And that's okay. Don't let anyone tell you it's not okay to feel something for guys. Yes it sucks you will have to hide that from most people here, but don't think it's because you should be ashamed of yourself. Hawkins is just a backwater town where if anyone is slightly different they are freaks."
Will sniffled a bit and he looked at Jon. He didn't appear mad at his admission; he didn't even look upset. This made Will breathe a little easier but he still choked,
"Y-You're not angry at me or ashamed?"
Jonathan shook his head and pulled his brother into a warm and firm embrace and stroked his little brother's back. They were close and that wasn't going to change whether it be distance or that Will was gay. Will was a special kid and Jonathan knew that. They had been through hell and after nearly losing him twice, Jonathan vowed to be a good brother. This of course included accepting his brother and always going to love him no matter what.
"No Will, I'm not. I want us to be close and for you to share this, something so important, means that we still have that. I want us to always keep talking and I want you to come to me. No matter what happens, you're still going to be my little brother. Things are and will get more complicated, but I am always going to be here. I love you and I am always going to love you Will, no matter what. Nothing and I mean nothing is ever going to change that."
Will was crying, but the tears were happy ones. He wasn't losing his brother and he wasn't repulsed by his admission. It was a big fear that coming to realize he might be liking guys more than girls would push people he cared for away. His brother however was there, hugging him and being all warm and supportive. Jonathan might not know what it will be like to be gay but at least he would help in any advice he could give to his little brother in this hard time.
"T-Thanks…I'm always going to be there for you too. I'm just so…relieved you don't hate me for...well this."
Jonathan pulled away and helped to wipe away Will's tears. He didn't want Five to come back and wonder why Will was crying. This wasn't the time for Will to come out to Five about his crush on him, more so since Will needed to tackle one big thing at a time.
"Like I told you, nothing is ever going to change how I feel about you. I can give a little advice on how to…you know handle your crush on Five since I don't think you want to tell him yet."
Will nodded in agreement, more so since he didn't want to fall harder for Five if he wasn't going to remain in this time.
"Yeah I know. I'm not even sure I can even convince him to stay. Just thinking about him leaving hurts." Will admitted with a light voice crack.
"Again, he's nowhere near getting the perfect time formula. He may go on about how no one is insignificant but it works both ways. Five might think he is going to cause changes by growing up in the 80s versus the 2000s but people here changed him. Mom showed him how a parent is supposed to be people Max, El, and Robin shown him how it's like to have friends. I've probably been like a brother he should have and…you've probably changed him more than you think Will. He loves hanging out with you and he's always thinking about you and how to make you happy. Really find a time to really plead to him that you're here and maybe his future is meant to be here. He can do so much without his father's influence and be his own person; one that's not fucked up or scarred completely by his upbringing."
Will nodded at the idea and he was going to talk to Five about him remaining in Hawkins, remaining with him. Even if their friendship never becomes more than just that, it would still be better than him leaving and Will trying to go on without his best friend. Five just understood him, made him matter, they had more in common than the others, and Five made him more confident in himself.
"I might do it if I start seeing formulas. Not going to confront him since it would be dumb to do that. He has the right to figure out how to go home but I do want to share why he's so important and that he could have a better life and family with us."
Jonathan lightly ruffled Will's hair, causing Will to laugh and Jonathan smiled at that. He was finally seeing his brother truly being happy and completely himself. Who knows how long Will was carrying the weight and pressure on his shoulders and having no one to talk to about his struggles. Now Jonathan can see Will beaming a bit more and he truly was glad Will trusted him with something so crucial.
"Don't think I'm judging but…you really are crushing hard on Five?"
Will blushed a bit but yet was still smiling.
"Y-Yeah I am. He's different, perhaps a big reason we get along so well is because he's not like anyone. He's respectable and can take care of himself, especially with bullies. Five dresses really nicely, even when he only had our old clothes. His smile is sly but also kind of cute; it makes me smile and warm looking at it. Do you think…there's hope that maybe…he's like me?"
Jonathan thought for a moment since he really wasn't around Five much to make an accurate judgment. Steve and Robin would know more about that since they were Five's friends and co-workers. However, if he thought very hard for his brother about Five….
"I mean he's just more…affectionate with you I guess? He's not as critical or harsh in his tone with you like he tends to be with Mike. Plus sometimes at dinner he offers any remaining food for you if there's like one left. You're with him more so that is really up for you to feel if you want to…come out and admit feelings."
Will nodded since Five was new to a lot of things. It had taken Will a long time to realize he was different and that girls just were not interesting. At first his eye was caught by Mike but Five was just everything Mike was but just more special and very compatible. He knew more than anyone about waiting and being patient and he wanted Five to get his own bearings and maybe see what his preferences were.
"I will recommend this though Will. Give it time and just be the very best friend you can to Five. In time, things can develop or change. Let Five figure himself out; maybe he will try to make the moves on you if he's the same. I mean you're both only 14 so who knows what will happen in a few years. Again everyone's different and you both may need time to come into yourselves you know. Just don't give up…you deserve the chance to love someone and maybe in time you and Five will have that in each other."
That was true and perhaps when they were both older, the changes will be better for what they have or what they could have.
"Thanks Jonathan…for everything. I'm feeling a lot better about everything now. Things just seem so…clear and I don't feel like I'm suffocating. I know what I want to do and what I should do but you're right, I have to wait. Five is enjoying just being a normal kid and not really thinking about dating yet. I don't want to make things complicated between us yet and he should have the chance to learn what he wants. I'm happy being his friend and I do hope we remain close and that he wants to stay in this time."
Will and Jonathan heard a sharp sound and of course it was Five blipping inside the newly constructed 'castle'. He had bags of Burger King take out in his hands and he commented,
"I made sure to have enough since I knew I was starving at least."
"Yet it seems I was doing most of the heavy lifting." Jonathan quipped as he took a bag of food from Five.
Five rolled his eyes but chuckled since…yeah Jonathan was right about him doing a lot of the labor and wood work. Jonathan took his food outside so he and Will could have a moment alone together. When Five locked eyes on Will, he cracked a light smile as he gave Will his meal.
"I made sure to get you extra fries since I know they are your favorite."
"Or so you have more to steal?" Will joked as he opened the bag and grabbed a burger.
Five chuckled and shook his head.
"Nah, got my own this time. Your fries are safe."
"Hasn't stopped you before Five." Will laughed.
Five laughed too and he sat close to Will as they had their lunch. He glanced over at Will and something in him just pulsed. Something in his little time away to get food seemed to have made Will much more calm and not so on edge Five thought. Time was passing and Five couldn't believe it was a year since he had gotten stuck in Hawkins. At first he would have given anything to be able to return home but now Five honestly can't imagine going back to the life he once knew. Five needed to come to a decision since no matter what he decided, he was going to break hearts. He didn't belong here yet why did his heart tell him differently. He needed to go back to the future, staying would be trouble wouldn't it. Yet he's been the happiest in Hawkins, going to school, hanging with friends, having a family, and just being a normal kid for the most part. In most part because of Will, Five was able to experience the life he never knew he was missing and yet this was all because of a mistake of his own pride and arrogance. Head was telling him to stop dicking around and push to find the right formula yet his heart was telling him to screw it and remain in his new existence. Should he stay or should he find a way to go?
I wanted Jonathan and Will to have a moment like they did in Season 4 but adapted and have Will actually come out to his brother. If you made it this far then yes, instead of the El and Five ship that was the original vision for this fic; this story is going towards a Will and Five romance ship. It was just a runaway idea while I was thinking of the plotline for this story that I found sweet. Five is still unaware of his feelings as of yet but he will within the next few chapters. But one major obstacle needs to be addressed and that will be in the next chapter. More to come and feedback/reviews of any kind is appreciated.