Warning-Hateful gay slurs will be in this chapter when Five is out on his date with a girl and he's not really into her, thus these insults. Just thought I give a warning before readers get too far.

October 14, 1989

A little more than three years passed and Five settled into Hawkins quite nicely. He still attends Hawkins High, works at Family Video, and still lives with the Byers. Will and Five were close, close as any friends could be. It seemed all of Five's world in his new place in time revolved around Will. He also participated in Hellfire on Friday nights and was the brightest kid in Hawkins. If this would affect the timeline as a whole, Five didn't pay it too much mind since he wasn't going to compromise his intelligence. Plus, clearly he was better than anyone in this small time.

Time did change things as most of Will's friends and himself were working jobs. Max worked with Five at Family Video since Robin and Steve went away to college. It wasn't a horrible job and Five sure did make the job fun and interesting for her. Plus she liked hanging out with Five as he was funny if a snarky asshole.

Max was already at the counter, working the computer with rentals and wondered where in the fuck Five was. He was probably chatting off Will's ear since he could just blip into work from anywhere. Five eventually got in the family store and already saw Max at the computers. He grinned as her focus was glued to the screen and he chuckled lightly at her.

"Too much of the computer will rot your mind." Five remarked as he got behind the counter and put on his vest.

Max scoffed but couldn't help but be amused even if he was a little late.

"You know, someone of your talents shouldn't ever be late. I had to cover your ass with the new manager about where you were this morning." Max teased in a whisper.

" And if it were my time I probably wouldn't but I trust very select few and I'm not about to advertise my ability for the government. That includes just popping in out of the blue in this store." He whispered back.

Max nodded but she could tell that despite Five's amusement and humor, he was bothered about something…and she knew what given his track record with people.

"Fair enough. El and Will had enough of that, don't want you added to the list. Please tell me you weren't late because of scoring another date. It seems like Steve has passed his crown." Max expressed, joking at the last bit about crown passing.

Five rolled his eyes and groaned at that statement. He has heard that before, jokingly from her and Robin but legitimate swoons and 'compliments' from girls.

"Yea I scored a date, to be fair I'm only doing it to finally tell her to take a hike. She wouldn't take no for answer so I hope the date bombs badly. Sometimes I wish I didn't look so good to them and I don't mean in the Steve self-praise way, it's a curse." Five remarked.

Five grew significantly and his style changed. Some people at school made fun of him for having a formal dress style most days. Although sometimes he would don his bomber jacket with some blue jeans but that only seemed to show off his light muscles. His facial features stayed the same if maybe made him more handsome with age. His hair grew a bit but Five trimmed it and his style resembled Steve's but without the excessive hair products that Steve used on his hair.

"Right, who's the girl of the week this time?" Max asked as she rang up a customer's order and put the rentals on record on the computer.

"Brandy something.. Has brown hair, blue eyes. Kinda pretty but wears too much makeup, clothes are a bit too revealing especially since it gets cold out well when she's not in her uniform. I can't tell you how many guys she's been with and she wouldn't stop harassing me until I went out with her tonight." Five said in annoyance

Max stopped typing and raised an eye questioned,

"Brandy Stone? The cheerleading captain…that Brandy? No offense but she does know who you are right? You're like shouldn't be on her radar with Hellfire and you being a science prodigy pretty much. I mean I know some of them aren't that bright but she should know your standing shouldn't she?"

Five laughed at that.

" I agree. No offense taken. I know the social hierarchy of this lame school. Apparently she thinks I am like hot or whatever so this will be either one night stand in her mind or I'm in a Carrie scenario to her minus the murder of course." Five expressed

Max nodded but she was concerned about Five. He didn't used to date so much. It only seemed to pick up more this last year for some reason. She thought he didn't care that most guys in their friend group had girlfriends and yet Five is agreeing to dates with women he's not interested in or downright hates. Steve at least had interest in the women he took out even if it was for the night, but Five just was going through the motions it seems.

"You can be honest Five…are you okay? I mean it's okay if you're feeling lonely in the romantic way you know." Max asked with concern.

Five raised an eyebrow as he rang up some guy's rentals of Animal House and Police Academy.

" I am fine Max, but not a single girl is stirring anything in me except occasional disgust like Brandy. I'm getting resentful of girls and I don't want to. They are pretty but yet…nothing." Five expressed.

"Then maybe you should take a step back from dating then. Trust me, I don't see you dying alone. I will be honest out of all the guys, yes Lucas included, you are the best looking and probably the funniest and smartest. Someone has to be the right one for you. Just don't want you to become a Steve 2.0." she advised.

Five offered a small smile. He was a bit concerned why no woman or girl he dated was even remotely attracting him. He's not blind but yet…no pull or wanting he thought.

" I will after tonight's date. I am only saying that because she has been hounding me about it for the past week or so. I'm mostly doing it to shut her up and maybe leave me alone after this. I just hate how I'm spending part of my Saturday. This blows and I hope she realizes within a few minutes it's a bust." Five admitted

"And if it's not going well, meaning she's head over heels still, just go on either the science or Hellfire rant train. She will leave you alone if you talk her ear off on any of those topics. Trust me, it sometimes that bothers me and I'm friends with your ass." Max advised and sassed.

Five chuckled at that. Yeah he kind of got that way about Hellfire if it was a campaign he made with Will. He loved making sadistic campaigns like Eddie did and it was just another reason he enjoyed it.

"Fair but I am not dating you. You're a great girl Max and you should have someone who sees that. As for your advice I definitely plan to talk her ear off. She barely passing science and she may be bored to tears or be horrified by my Hellfire talk." Five expressed.

"Good and I do have someone who sees that…well least that what Lucas says anyway but I'm a bit cynical about that and how we will be past high school. I will see."

Their day was going well and Max was noticing that Five was kind of glancing at the front door a lot. She raised an eyebrow but she knew it was his lunch break soon and she knows who rolls by this time to see him.

"Waiting for someone special?" she asked.

Five nodded as he was stacking movies.

" Yes. Will and I will have lunch together soon. Now he and I actually enjoy seeing each other. He can hold a conversation that's not revolving around superficial bullshit." Five expressed

"Ah right. He and you coordinate lunch breaks on weekends. How you pull that off is beyond me." Max chuckled.

" He is my best friend, it's normal to want to hang out often. I mean you and El hang out all the time when you get off work or are off." Five remarked

"Yet we don't live together so you see him more than most. You and Will are practically at each other's hips, one rarely being without the other."

Deep down Max did wonder about Will and Five. Something about their friendship seemed to be very different from them being friends with others in their group.

"There's nothing weird about being close with your best friend. I just like hanging out with him all the time. Never a dull moment and no, I don't care what people think." Five repeated

Max raised her hands in defense.

"Okay don't bite my head off. But it is nice you and Will are close and you decided to stay. I think it's making a difference and well, we're all happier, especially Will."

Max glanced and saw a familiar figure in the corner of her eye walking in the store.

"Will's here, go on lunch. Just don't leave the back room a mess. I have to eat there too while we rewind tapes."

"When am I ever the slob? That was Steve and Keith when they worked here. I don't like messes." Five retorted before going up Will.

Will had gone through a huge growth spurt which was nuts since it was hard to imagine Will being tall, even taller than Five by half a head. He lost the baby face and he had nice yet gentle features. He was still a skinny kid but then again Five kind of was too but there was slight bulk in his chest. He still had the bowl cut which for most it wouldn't do any favors yet it did for Will to show off his face and warm brown eyes. Five chuckled and gave will a warm smile, even flashing a bit of his pearly whites which Max noticed and wondered why.

" Hey, ready for lunch?"

Will smiled and flashed the bag of Burger King take out for the two of them.

"Come on, do you think I wouldn't get us food? I'm hurt really." he teased.

"You unprepared? That's hilarious. You are always a bit on edge if your not prepared but you always mean well." Five teased back chuckling.

Will followed Five into the back room for them to have lunch. Will didn't bat an eye when Five took an extra long fry from his order since it was a quirk he expected at that point. He took an onion ring from Five which encouraged Five to offer more to him. They made small talk and Five's date that night came up, making Will frown slightly.

"So…we're still having movie night tonight despite your date right?"

Will kind of hated Five dating so much. It hurt him to see Five go on dates with girls and them fawning over him just for his looks. Will knew how smart, fun, creative, and sassy Five could be and loved every part of him. It bothered him but he couldn't just share how he feels about him but it was getting to him. He loved that he liked Five so much but hated too since it wasn't him that was going out with him. They couldn't go out like traditional couples and Will didn't even know if Five would see him as more than a friend.

Five can sense Will's apprehension and nodded.

" Nothing is ruining our movie night, not even my date. It will be my last date for a while since it's exhausting and not making me happy. I swear these girls are kind of boring, pretty is not enough. Plus I'm only going with this girl to finally get her off my back." Five said nonchalantly.

"You sure? Don't feel like you have to because we live together. I mean…I can be a lot I know and we hang out so much already. I just thought you could wind down with a movie after how awful Brandy is. She is nothing like other head cheerleaders and is very mean."

Five knew Will cared about him. It was sweet and sometimes it seemed he cared more about him than himself. He did wonder at times why Will didn't date. Anyone would be lucky to have him and yet that very idea…bothered him? He smiled and gently patted Will's arm.

"Everything will be fine Will, I promise. We will have our movie nights uninterrupted as often as you like after tonight. And we will have it when I come home." Five assured.

Something about Will was different lately but what Five thought.

"Yeah since it's been awhile since we had one. I know we do Hellfire together but it's different just to be with you and watch movies. Maybe we can make it a double feature when you come home. I'm thinking it could be car themed with Christine and Back to the Future; your favorites." he suggested.

Five grinned at that thought. He loved that horror movie and Back to the Future is just a classic he could always rewatch.

"Yea that sounds great. If I lucky the date will end sooner than I think." Five chuckled

Five was already hating this date. Brandy complained about needing to take her car to the place since Five didn't have one and she was dressed in a way that her breasts were clearly on display through her sweater. He got out of her car and gave her back her keys as they stopped by a little mom and pop diner to eat. She crinkled her nose at the place since she was used to guys dropping cash at Enzo's for her.

"You know Aiden when I thought you were taking us out, I thought it would be Enzos." Brandy scoffed as they walked into a diner.

Five rolled his eyes and forced a smile.

"Not everyone's parents make six figures Brandy. Besides, I like the food here. It's delicious and reasonably priced. You wanted dinner at Enzo's, you should have found a man with rich parents." Five remarked as he sat down and looked at the menu.

Brandy forced a laugh out even though this wasn't what she had in mind. Still she would let it go since she found him very attractive and see this going places later.

"So what are you getting? Maybe we should get a milkshake to share, wouldn't that be the best?" she asked, batting her eyelashes softly at him.

" I'm getting wings and an order of waffles." Five remarked.

Brandy sighed when he didn't get the hint and when the waitress came she ordered a chicken sandwich and a milkshake anyway in case Five changed his mind. Five made his order and Brandy giggled softly.

"Oh my god I was shocked when I heard from Rebecca that you were single. It's like it was fate for us to be going out." Brandy said, twirling the straw in her ice water.

More like you wouldn't leave me alone Five thought with annoyance.

"Not really fate. Look I'm not going to drag this out. I don't think we will get along. We're not going to gel and I want someone to have meaningful conversations with and not be so…scatterbrained and ditzy." Five explained as the waitress brought their food.

Brady sat back up in her seat and felt her blood boil at that comment. He was just not even being polite, but rude and she felt offended at that comment.

"What's that supposed to mean? Are you calling me stupid or something?" she asked.

"You're not stupid, but we don't really have anything in common do we?" Five asked

"I mean…we're both nice looking and I know I would love to show you to my mother. We go to the same school and I think maybe we share English together?" Brandy shared, trying so hard not to lash out at him since he was a very good looking guy.

Five rolled his eyes as he ate his wings. Clearly he was regretting going on this date since Brandy was the worse girl he took out. Least the other girls tried talking about their lives, interests, and plans but Brandy was all about looks and maybe wanting more from this date than a kiss. He sighed as he cleaned his hands before starting on his waffles.

"If looks are all you're going for in a relationship, you will not find anything meaningful in your future." Five remarked about eating his food.

Brandy ate her food quietly and wondered just what was wrong with this guy. At least she was able to charm most guys in the school and yet he wasn't giving her much to work with. He was good looking and other girls had good dates to some extent, why not her.

"Look, maybe we got off on the wrong foot, Aiden. I truly think if you just let go of some of your standards you'll be happier. I mean…wouldn't you like to know what it's like to be with a real woman for once." she asked, gently stroking his arm and trying to play with his foot under the table with hers.

Five groaned in annoyance which startled Brandy and Five sneered,

" A real woman? Please, you have a guy every two weeks. I am not about to lower my standards for anyone, if you think they're high then maybe ask yourself what goes on in your life that real values are too high for you."

Brandy rolled her eyes and pulled away from him. What was his deal?

"Honestly you're not much better. You dated a lot of girls and why am I the only bad guy here?" she asked.

"Dated yes, slept with, never although maybe some wanted to. I don't want to sleep with anyone I don't feel a connection with and I haven't had that yet. I'm sorry if you think it's a foreign concept or something. I date in hoping to find a connection"

Brandy raised an eyebrow at that.

"So you've dated girls and only ever kissed them. Heard you only kissed their cheeks too? Old fashioned aren't we or is nothing they did doing it for you?"

" Both actually. I am a bit old fashioned, not old fashioned that I believe no sex before married but enough old fashioned to not sleep around. One good thing my late father did was teach me to be respectful to women." Five said.

His father was in a sense dead to him but no way in hell Brandy was learning the truth. Brandy was a bit caught off guard by that but that made her more curious.

"Wait, your father is dead? What about your mother? Wouldn't she want you with a nice girl?"

His mother was a robot but Five would never tell Brandy that.

" She does, but she understands it is not a fast process. There has to be a genuine connection between me and the person I am dating. If there is none, then going forward is absolutely useless for both of us. I'm sorry but I don't want to continue this date after dinner." Five clarified and shared sternly.

Brandy couldn't believe her ears. She normally broke up with guys and yet this asshole wasn't giving her a chance at all. She was a cheerleader for Christ's sake and yet he was treating her like any old girl. Was he sick in the head, blind or…wait she thought…He was often seen with the Byers kid and her mouth dropped in disgust.

"Are you queer or something? Is that it? Have I been going out with a faggot tonight?" she asked.

Five glared at her in annoyance.

"Wow, that was quick. So just because a guy for once isn't throwing themselves at your feet you think he is queer. How shallow are you?" Five said loudly.

"Not shallow, just stating a clear observation. I mean…well there's that freak that always hangs out with you but I thought he was just that? Is he actually what turns you on? Wow you are a faggot, a no good cock sucker or you make him suck yours bigshot."

She wasn't going to insult Will in front of him. He didn't care less as her insults to him meant nothing but this bitch wasn't going to demean his best friend and get away with it.

"And you are an attention seeking harlot, oh wait you don't know that word. You're a tramp, is that better? You throw yourself at guys who meet your idiot shallow standards and the one time a guy dares to say you're not his type, you flip your shit. You know I am right. You don't respect yourself or your body, which honestly makes me feel a bit sorry for you. Queer or not I don't like desperate people." he hissed with pure venom in his voice.

"And who do you think you are to say that to me?! I am a cheerleader and popular! You don't know who you are refusing?"

" If cheerleading and popularity is all you got, then you ain't got much Brandy. I'm at least participating in clubs outside my comfort zone and expanding my interest. Least my tastes are varied and people I see are too." Five expressed

"Wait…where do you sit at lunch? Don't think I see you at the popular table." she questions.

Wow she really didn't know did she. Goes to show how little she actually knew about him before hounding him into this date.

" Hellfire Club table, same as I have been sitting for the past 4 years." Five stated clearly and matter of fact.

Her eyes widened and she nearly shuddered at that.

"Oh god, that satanic club? You really are an immoral little queer. What's next, you're a science nerd too?" she asked.

"Hellfire is a very misleading name, it's just a club for board games and D&D. And I am not in the science club per se but I do help out sometimes. The science teacher thinks I am a prodigy or something so he gives me experiments to work on in spare time or at school. I'm proud of my intelligence and I'm not about to let a vain little cheerleader who doesn't know where her life is going take that away from me. I really hope the real life hits you hard since you're not ready and are delusional if you think looks and money will ever make you happy." Five said with a glare.

Brandy scoffed and was almost tempted to throw her water at him but needed to be a bigger person.

"You know what, fine. I know when I am being mistreated, especially with a nerdy little faggot who can't see a good thing in front of him. Screw off Aiden. I bet I can still have a movie date with my ex…he's probably waiting for my call right now. Bye and I don't ever want to see your face again."

" We go to the same school you idiot, but don't worry we won't talk." Five told her with an attitude.

"Oh fuck you asshole! I hope you get AIDS from whatever guy ends up fucking you. Bye!"

She got up and left Five in a huff. Five rolled his eyes. He paid the bill for both of them and tipped the waitress, He went to the bathroom and blipped home.

Will was drawing in his room at his table and he thought he heard Five come home. He glanced at the time and wow the date must have been extremely awful since it wasn't even seven o' clock. Five stopped by his room and quickly smiled when Will looked up at him.

" Hey Will. What are you drawing?" Five asked as he sat on his bed, nonchalantly.

"Just something from last night's campaign I thought would be cool to draw. What happened?" he asked.

Five groaned angrily.

" She was bore and vain and when I called her out on it she called me a queer. So predictable." Five said

Will looked a bit nervously at him and put his sketchbook away.

"I'm sorry Five. I'm used to being called that but to you…must have hurt huh?" he commented.

"Nah it's not a big deal to me, she was just pissed cause I didn't fall for her desperation, looks, and lack of self respect. I swear girls like her fall for every annoying male stereotype." Five said

"I mean what do you expect? Most probably won't go far for college and maybe marry their sweethearts. They might end up like their own parents, miserable and maybe unhappy with themselves. I just hope when I find someone…I can just be happy and have someone to connect deeply with. It's not all about looks you know?" Will shared.

Five smiled and laid on Will's bed. He was still Will the Wise and the fact that didn't change was a comfort.

" The fact that you're 100% right is sad really. I mean these people have gotten so used to this mediocre life, they don't even want to try to step out of their comfort zone and have actual dreams beyond this town. And if they do it's probably a vain movie star or pop star dream they hope to get based on looks alone with little talent. Probably why it's hard for me to get along with the majority of people here is because they are narrow and simple minded. I'm not talking about you or your family and our friends I swear." Five remarked

"I know…It's just hard to find someone who can match you. I mean you always talk about finding someone to have long meaningful talks with, common interests, and overall just this…connection that is just magnetic in ways."

Will has heard Five rant about his likes for a year now and his interests did match his own in some ways. Even when they didn't there was still a care and interest that was very sweet and gentle. Still Will knew Five was different and he wondered if they would be a match if gender wasn't a barrier. Will was hoping for that since he was truly in love with his best friend.

" Yea finding someone to connect with is rare, connection has to be there. I may be old fashioned but I like my values. Why should I have to give them up and settle for someone who is so boring and kind of trampy" Five mused

Will chuckled at that and motioned Five to scoot a bit so he could lay down with him. He laid down beside him and it just seemed to make his stomach flutter, being so close. Will could see how green Five's eyes were and truly how striking he was. More importantly though, they were best friends and it just felt right laying beside him and having their troubles slowly fade away together. He sighed peacefully and glanced over at Five.

"I've had girls interested in me but I just tell them no. I'm not trying to prove to anyone that I can get girls, I just want to live life how I want. You should too, more so since you were robbed of having a normal life for so long." Will mused back, staring back with very soft and caring eyes.

" Will if you spend your life proving to people you're worth something it's a waste. Focus on the right people, they will know your true worth, the rest can drop dead or whatever. You're smart, creative and emotionally intelligent. You will go far, that's for sure." Five reassured

"Is there anything you can't say or do?" Will asks.

Unbeknownst to him, his fingers lightly grazed Five's gently and it did give Will a warm feeling in his stomach. How he wanted to intertwine them and hold his hand but that would be weird in this moment even though it would be sweet.

"Well I can't tell you about the future too much, but you knew that. There's a lot I can't do even for someone like me. Everyone has limits." Five said.

He felt Will's fingers gently brush his. It was quick but in that quick moment Five felt sparks, the kind he never felt with a woman.

"Yet you try and push through them…kind of inspiring. It inspires me to try things for myself." Will told him in a soft tone.

"Just make sure you don't push too hard. It's great to branch out and learn and see things but don't neglect your health ok?" Five said with smile

Will nodded.

"I won't. Wouldn't want to worry you. Are you still in the mood for movies or did Brandy sour your night?" he asked.

" Movies are good, I need to erase the stench of desperation she tried to leave on me" Five chuckled.

He looked at Will and smiled. He glanced over Will's features and something was stirring within him. Since when did Will get so…beautiful Five thought. Beautiful?! That shouldn't be a thought about his best friend yet Five couldn't get over Will's features and just how good he made him feel inside. They just were so close and he felt this deep connection that…Shit, Five thought slightly panicked but intrigued.

"Great. I will make us popcorn while you can get changed into something cozy. Don't think we're going out anytime soon." he said with a beaming smile.

" Yeah no after movies we will probably fall asleep on the couch again without finishing the movie itself." Five sasses.

He recalled how they did that over the years and Joyce would come home or come in and they would be asleep. There would be times she would put a blanket over them which were also very happy moments. They were good memories and oddly sweet. Then again all memories with Will were good and he was the reason he stayed in this time. He wanted to spend time with Will and it would kill him to lose him. Why did that sound more like a lovesick teen than a best friend? Was he…was he interested in Will?

"Don't think you could with tonight's movies. They are your favorites…Well Back to the Future has become mine too. See you in a few and don't take too long." Will told him as he left to make the popcorn.

Five scoffed playfully and changed into some pajamas. He did wonder if what Brandy said was true. He never felt a connection or sparks with any woman. El was great but he did not feel spark and other girls and women well they just didn't have anything special. Will was always supportive and kind to him and tolerated his sass. They had most of the same hobbies and interests but Five was respectful to other hobbies like Will was to his. Did he like Will, perhaps even love him? He did care for him but it seemed these feelings were the strongest he had for a person. Five bit his lip and did like the sparks he had felt when their fingertips touched. He wondered but maybe he shouldn't be wondering and perhaps…explore the possibility.