When Will got up on a sunny August morning, he could tell something was different; or rather something was wrong. He didn't see Five in his sleeping bag on the ground but he figured he was already having breakfast. When he looked at where Five normally slept, something was sticking out of his pillow. When he pulled out the papers, he saw an arrangement of numbers and letters that didn't make any sense at a glance. However, when he looked closely at the paper, his heart dropped at what this had to be, the temporal equations. How long was he working on these and was he…was he close to figuring out how to go home. He was going to leave and that shattered heart.

"Morning Will…"

Five trailed off when he saw Will had papers in his hand. Shit he thought, Will was never supposed to find those and now he was going to have to explain why he had them. Will had to know that he was trying to create a formula to return home right yet Five knew this was going to be a very hard thing. This was something that should have only been told in passing but never seen.

"Will listen, let me explain…"

Will was already devastated by the discovery and there's no way Five can say this was a good thing. Him leaving was a terrible day he dreaded ever since the Fun Fair last year. It was less about knowing Five was working on the formula, but more like he kept this from him, his best friend in Five's words.

"Why did you keep this from me? You could have shared you were wanting to go home. I knew you were going to get tired of us but I didn't think it would be so soon after making our castle! You know how this makes me feel!?"

Five winced a bit since Will was angry and he had the right to be. It also was very poorly timed that they were found not even a week since the new Castle Byers was made. He really felt like an asshole and not the playful one either.

"I'm not tired of you, far from it. Please just let me explain." Five expressed calmly.

Will threw the papers on his bed and pointed angrily at them.

"What's there to explain, you never told me about this. Are you close to figuring out how to go home?! You are, aren't you! How many days do I have left with you?! I don't want you to leave Five!"

Five looked puzzled but his heart still dropped all the same. Fuck he thought angrily and he saw Will was trying to hold his tears back but it was futile as some were escaping.

"I never said I was close. It's just something I was working on…and it sucked. You don't want me to go home do you?"

"No of course not! I mean I know you have a family and life in another time, but you shared countless times how you hated it. Yes I know you love your brothers and sisters but you're doing so much good here and you're happier. I just don't want you to return home and be miserable knowing you had a lot of things you never had before here. I thought maybe…maybe you could remain here in this time period with me. You're honestly the best thing that's happened to me and you…you're making things so much better and you're one of my best friends. It would hurt to lose you."

Five sighed deeply and angrily since he knew this would happen. He knew by living with Will and living in the 80s was going to fuck things up. No one was insignificant and Five knew this now by being a part of Will's life. He wasn't just some random kid, but a kid that crashed into Will's life and made an impact just as Will impacted his own life. There were going to be consequences and this was one of them for remaining as long as he has. They were close and Five couldn't imagine a day without Will because they shared so many good memories in this time together. Still, Five was an outsider, a time traveler, and he had to find a way back if he could.

"Will you know I'm not really supposed to be here. I told you that when we first met that I'm not supposed to be here and I had to return to my own time." Five stressed with a pit in his stomach.

Will sniffled as he wiped some tears away and he asked bluntly,

"Was your enjoyment here a lie? Did you really find me so interesting or was that a lie to humor me? Are we not really friends."

Five shook his head and he almost felt like crying now too. He didn't want to hurt Will, hence why he hid his formulas since figuring out a way home was always going to upset him. It would have upset most people he knew, but Will was always going to hate it the most.

"No Will you know it wasn't. I like going to the Fun Fair with you. I like playing D&D with you. I even just like hanging out in our castles together and reading comic books. You're…you're my best friend Will and I really mean that. Please come here."

Five opened up his arms so Will could go in for a hug. Will was caught off guard since he really didn't hug people much and yet he had his arms open. He went into Five's arms without hesitation and Five could feel Will's tears on his shirt. Five sighed and he stroked Will's back gently. His heart ached and he felt his throat closing up. This whole thing was hard and Five now knew what his decision had to be. He didn't even know why he was torn in the first place since seeing Will in tears pretty much told him where he needed to be.

"Screw it." he muttered under his breath.

Will pulled away sniffling.

"W-What?"

Five chuckled and he glanced at Will.

"Screw it I said…screw this formula. It hasn't made me happy at all working on it and I've been doing so in vain. What's back for me; a father telling me 'I told you so' and to get back to being a part of a team. Him saying I was selfish for wanting to learn my powers fully and quicker and that I am irresponsible, careless, and arrogant. Having my siblings fight me in spars so we can compete for out father's love and approval. Being forced to be part of a team I never wanted a part of and risking my life for his vision, that isn't what I want. Screw it and everything I once knew."

Will wiped his tears and he couldn't help but stare at Five in shock. Was Five…was he really saying what Will hoped he was saying. Five smiled and hugged Will once more. He was more tender with his hug and it oddly felt right to hug Will like this. His heart was racing again but he couldn't understand why. He was confident in what he wanted and yet Will brought out this unsure, fluttering, and gentle wave over him. A soft smile lingered on his face as he hugged Will.

"I'm already home…I'm home with you Will. You think it would hurt you when I went back….it might have hurt me more in all honesty. I can't imagine going back to quiet meal times, the intense school and training schedules, living in essentially a prison until it's time for my family and I to save the world. I don't want to be fucked up anymore by him and I actually like my life here. I'm free and I want to be free and home. I want to work at that video store to make money, I want to hang out with you, El and the others, I want to spend holidays and birthdays with you and celebrate. Most of all…I don't want to lose this. Our friendship got me through the shock of my mistake and it's making me so much better. I've gotten to see what life could be and I want that more than the glory and fame. I can't imagine being able to go back to my time knowing I would be without my best friend."

Will smiled but it was a little weak as he looked at the formula. Five noticed his weak and unsure feelings and nodded.

"Yes I have been working on it since I landed, I am not going to lie to you. Friends don't lie and yes, I thought maybe I was close. However I kept making mistakes and it's really not easy. I'm not any closer to finding the right formula than I was when I first landed in this period. The more we hung out, the less I wanted to work on it. Completing our castle pretty much sealed it for me that I don't want to go home…well back to 2003 now. I want…I want to be here. No one is insignificant and you've proven that to me. I can't imagine the harm I would do by leaving you and I'm sure my family or father don't really need me."

Will could feel his heart bursting out of his chest at the news. Five really wanted to stay here and he wasn't dreaming. He was the reason Five wanted to remain and that made him feel so good inside. There were going to be times Five would miss his brothers and sisters but Five knew what he wanted. Five was going to be selfish; he wanted to remain in this point in time and live a life he wouldn't have in his natural time. He knew the risks and he wasn't going to impact his own existence with meddling with his other self that would eventually come to be.

"Sorry I made you upset. I really wasn't intending on having you see these papers. I had this plan on how I was going to tell you that I wanted to stay here and avoid unneeded tears." Five spoke in a sheepish and guilty way.

Will chuckled and wiped a loose tear from his eye.

"I might have still cried really if you were going to give a similar speech about how our family became a home to you. But…you're really not going back to your time period, like never going back?"

Five nodded and added,

"If it would take me god knows how many years to find the formula to help me to return to my proper time. If that's the case I might as well just focus on living my life here and enjoy it. Maybe I wasn't ready to time jump but I am glad I ended up here. Guess I will prove to my father I wasn't ready but I will gladly live with my consequences since I won't be alone in my company."

Will laughed at that and hugged Five.

"You can't just cut to the chase can you? You could have just said I want to remain here and I am done working on the formula."

Five rolled his eyes playfully but chuckled at Will's light sass. How he liked that he was rubbing off on Will and that Will was slowly becoming bolder and add more to his humor.

"Well yea but I could but I wanted to be more…poetic I guess. You think your mom will have me for a couple of years?"

Will beamed and he took Five's hand and took him to the kitchen table to have breakfast. Joyce noticed Will's eyes were a little red and at first, her face fell.

"Aidan…are you going back home?" she asked.

Will shook his head and Five smiled a bit nervously. He rubbed his arm as he met Joyce's concerned gaze.

"Um no. I um actually was wondering if I could remain here for a few years until I go to college. I don't want to go back to my time and I like how you've treated me. So can I please stay here for a little longer?"

Joyce smiled and pulled Five into a hug. Five was caught off guard but he hugged Joyce as well. He loved how great a mother Joyce was to Will and Jonathan. Grace for a robot was nice but it wasn't real or any love she displayed was programmed to share. Joyce however was human and truly cared for him even though she didn't have to.

"Of course you can Aidan. You're family to us now and it would feel weird with you gone. Now are you sure you don't want to go back to your time, to your family?"

"Yes Mrs. Byers. I know I am going to miss my siblings, but I think I can become a better person away from my father than to continue to be under his roof. If you would have me, I would love to live with you and Will if that's possible." Five asked.

Joyce nodded and placed a hand on Five's cheek. He truly was a lovely boy and she was happy he wanted to remain with them. They didn't give much but Five seemed to just like their company and was grateful for what they provided.

"It will be more than possible, Aidan. Now both of you sit down and eat. Breakfast is getting cold and I know Aidan doesn't like a cold breakfast." she said with a chipper tone.

Five grinned as he and Will sat down and enjoyed their breakfast together. A huge weight was off Five's shoulders as he ate and he believed he was making the right decision. There would be key things he knew had to happen in the coming years as to not have time unravel, but he wasn't planning on interfering. The big thing was that he's made his choice and he was going to grow up in the eighties and pave his own way. He glanced at Will and he was glancing back with a very soft and thankful look.

"We got to tell everyone else about your news Five. I bet they are going to be shocked and perhaps happy too." Will mentioned.

Five chuckled as he was probably going to get some push back from Mike and perhaps some concerned questions from Dustin. El and Max were going to be thrilled and he couldn't wait to break the news while they all hung out. The two of them said goodbye to Joyce once they were done with breakfast and rode over to Mike's for a hang out. Will rang the doorbell and as they waited for someone to answer, Five questioned,

"You think Mike is going to flip that I'm staying?"

"I don't think he's going to be an ass about you staying. Maybe he will be a little stunned but chill." Will shared.

Five always knew Will would advocate peace but it was just his and Mike's dynamic. Mike opened the door and let them inside. Everyone was already downstairs as Lucas and Max were getting a board game setup while El and Dustin were relaxing on the couch.

"Hey, I thought you had work today." Dustin asked with a wide yet goofy smile.

"Nah, got today off. Besides, I had news I wanted to share with everyone." Five shared.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked to Five with curious and somewhat puzzled expressions.

"You got a girlfriend?" Lucas asked.

"You and Will are getting a dog?" Dustin asked.

El looked a bit more sad and asked,

"Are you leaving?"

When El asked that, everyone's faces fell. Oddly Mike also seemed a bit….bothered by the news and not looking happier that Five could share he's leaving. Will and Five smiled at each other before looking to their friends.

"Actually El it's the complete opposite. Five's decided to stay here and not return back at all!" Will exclaimed happily.

El smiled and ran to Five to give him a hug. Mike glared somewhat but he couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. Yes despite the fact they had fought over El, Five was actually a good guy and he cared for them, especially Will for some reason.

"I'm glad you're staying." El told him softly.

"Yeah same Five. I need someone to keep these guys in check and not do anything too stupid without El and me being there." Max chuckled and went to hug him as well.

Dustin on the one hand thought it was sweet he was staying but he did wonder about a lot of things.

"Great but what about timelines? I mean you still aren't born yet and would there being two of you be off? What about erasing yourself just by being here? Oh and what about…"

Five chuckled and stopped Dustin's rambling about time. He's thought it out and he nodded in agreement.

"Already thought ahead to all that. First and foremost, I can't be there when I'm born. Seeing how I maybe could have been born in another country or state that's not Hawkins that's fine. I also can't interfere with Reggie adopting me in this timeline since he needs to take me for everything to fall into place. Last but not least, my other self needs to jump in time in 2002. Seeing how I am not going to run into myself for anything, I should be more than okay with living my life from this time on. Besides, I like this decade and not being under my father's roof. Plus you all make wonderful friends, even Mike to some extent."

"What about your family dude? I mean I get not wanting to see your dad again, but what about your brothers and sisters. As much as Erica can be a pain in my ass I would still miss my sister after a while." Lucas questioned.

Five sighed but nodded. That was the biggest negative about remaining in this time, most likely he wouldn't see his siblings again. He cared about them but he thought there was a sliver of hope that he would maybe see them again somehow.

"I am holding on to hope I may see them again and my time's version of them and not this timeline's. It's wishful thinking but stranger things have happened." Five answered.

"Yes, like a time traveler coming to Hawkins." El giggled.

Mike managed to laugh at that too since Five sure did turn their lives upside down. Perhaps not as much as the demogorgons did but Five was kind of pleasant to be around.

"I'm glad you're staying…we would all miss you if you left." Mike told him.

Five raised an eyebrow but soon his disbelief turned into...glee perhaps and his smile turned to a wily grin.

"You of all people would miss me? Wow is hell freezing or do we have a body snatcher situation here?" Five teased.

Mike scoffed at that and playfully pushed Five on his chest.

"Yeah I know 'so unlike me' but seriously dude, you kind of fit in here and belong with us I guess. It would suck for most of us for you to be gone so…yeah good to hear you're staying after all." Mike told him.

Five was kind of touched that Mike was finally open and accepting him in their little party at long last. It was nice to be a part of something other than a superhero team, but a part of a friend group that like him for him alone. He knew he was closing the door to ever going back to his proper time with his family but he truly felt this is where he needed to be at this point of time.

"Okay now that Five shared his good news. How about we play some games before we we order a pizza or something." Mike shared.

"Maybe we can try the pool if it's not too crowded." El suggested.

"It's August, of course it's going to be crowded." Dustin expressed.

"Plus my brother is still working as a lifeguard and he's on duty today so no to that." Max commented.

Five laughed softly and suggested,

"Maybe we should maybe watch the stars tonight and before that catch a movie. I heard The Fly is playing and it's a pretty good sci-fyi horror."

"You know that sounds like a good idea. We can still get pizza before going to the movie and maybe Dustin can call Suzie before we do the whole star gaze thing. We can convince Hop to let you stay out El." Lucas added.

El smiled and nodded.

"Sounds good."

As the group of friends spent their day together, Five couldn't help but feel…content. Content being in Hawkins with his friends, Mrs. Byers, and of course Will. If he hadn't met Will and wasn't having such a good time, he would have found this temporal exile to be gut wrenching and devastating. Time did change him and he was more than okay with it. He wondered just how his path would turn out now since he wasn't a member of the Umbrella Academy any longer but a teen with an unwritten future. Even though he was back in time, he truly felt he was where he needed to be. He was hopeful that he would live a better life and perhaps figure out who he's meant to be and who he wants to be.

So Five decided to stay instead of go but honestly for this to be a potential romance he needed to stay but I wanted that will he or won't he go to not linger on in Will's mind any loner. For those who are sticking around, thanks. I know I mention this was just a passion project but it is still nice that people are still interested and read. Things will pick up in the coming chapters as the slow burn is going to heat up pretty soon...well chapter wise since time wise next chapter will be a time skip. Reviews are nice but not required even though I do wonder how people are perceiving this story and if they have any thoughts or opinions about it. More to come when time permits.