Will Byers Hyperfixation

https://archiveofourown.org/works/85710841/chapters/227775251

Will does not get Lonnie at all. He doesn't really know what Lonnie wants or what he's looking for or what motivates him. He can't anticipate what he'll do or why. He thinks there's some way to please him, but it doesn't exist. Lonnie is confusing and probably stressful, and dealing with him involves some degree of engaging in a strange game that doesn't net Will very much, but he's looking for the kernels of joy and connection he can scrape from the experience.

It's the implications of his absence that loom over Will, I think, more than his presence. He represents what could have been because he's a big unknown whose sole contribution to Will's life was shame, through implicit rejection and ridicule and lack of interest, back when he was younger.

And I wonder how Joyce addressed that. We know she must have said something and supported him, and if Lonnie spewed any of his bigotry and verbal abuse within Will's earshot and she knew he was aware of it, then she would surely have said something. But she's not perfect, and she can't be everywhere or always say just the right thing, and maybe there isn't always a right thing to say. Maybe she fell back on "you know he doesn't mean it" or "he's wrong and you shouldn't listen to him" or "something came up and he couldn't make it but he's sorry he couldn't take you" or "it's not about you" and that's kind, but doesn't get at the heart of why what he's saying or doing matters, to the extent that it does. And it's not like Will can't tell when she's being untruthful to spare his feelings; he can hear her yelling down the telephone.

But it's a hard line for her to walk as a parent, and so there are gaps where the edges of the white lies and hard truths don't come together neatly. Same for Jonathan, whom we can see trying to make up the difference and reach Will, but who very carefully does not tell Will the whole truth either (that Lonnie does not care and he's wrong even if he's correct and what he thinks doesn't matter); he tells him a different truth that, for him, matters a great deal more, about the world and who Will can be in it.

the way will said it was so simple, so matter-of-fact, that chance couldn’t help but let out a snort as they sped just fast enough down cornwallis to blur the trees they passed. “no, please, tell me what you really think,” chance deadpanned, but he was smiling, fingers flexing against the steering wheel.

“i’m serious.” will perked up a little, his first date jitters settling a little at how easy this was starting to feel. “i was surprised when my feet weren’t immediately kicking away pop cans-“

“excuse me, hey-“ chance raised the hand closest to will, almost defensive as will laughed, bunny teeth and all. “i’ll have you know i take great care of my baby.”

“riiight.” will drummed a bit on his own lap, one hand after the other. pat pat. “your “sick as fuck thunderbird”-“

“damn straight, byers.” chance barked out a laugh as will quoted him, reaching over to squeeze the giggling teen’s thigh. was his grip always so- “i take care of what’s mine.”

chance’s touch suddenly felt searing as those words burrowed into will’s brain like a woodland creature. i take care of what’s mine.

and just like that, will found himself lost in thought, wondering when he’d qualify; when chance would officially consider him his. did he already? did he ever plan to?

was he even worthy of it? did he want to be? was it safe?

“will.”

the shorter snapped out of it, his gaze landing on the graffitied back door of benny’s old diner. he swallowed, looking back over and woah, was chance always so close-?

“there you are.” chance had a smirk on his face, but his gaze held more concern than anything. “you spaced out on me.” his thumb ran back and forth over will’s jeans. “you’re not having second thoughts, are you?”

it was clearly meant to come off as a joke, but it fell flat. chance was nervous about what he’d say, will realized, a bit surprised by the revelation. “second thoughts? no- no, of course not..” will shook his head as he spoke, sitting up more in his seat.

he swallowed, pausing, unsure of how to explain his yearning, anxious train of thought to the (intimidatingly) handsome guy who was currently staring into his very being.

the same handsome guy who seemed to notice his struggle and swooped in to save him.

“… was it the ‘mine’ comment?” chance squinted, almost wincing at himself with a lazy smile. “was that too forward?”

will‘s heart skipped a beat. he got him.

“no-“ the shorter blurted, honestly, quickly, afraid of sending the wrong message. although, it was only night one-

will wasn’t used to this-

was this weird? was it too fast-?

“i liked it.” will continued anyways, wanting to feel like a boy on a date rather than a coward. “i did, i just- i wasn’t entirely sure if you meant it that way, or-“

“i meant it.”

will paused at his blunt honesty. chance leaned in closer.

“i take care of what’s mine,” he repeated, softer. he seemed to draw will’s eyes into his own like magnets. will had a deep desire to plunge into them. “i’ll take care of you.”

having trouble dropping more lines of defense, will glanced at the abandoned diner’s door once more, trying to force himself back down to earth. “.. it’s only date 1.” this feels fast. this feels too good to be true. i don’t trust it.

“there’ll be more.” chance’s easy confidence cut through will’s doubt like a knife through butter. will whirled to him, stunned. chance smirked, dashing. dangerous. “i mean, sure.. this may only be date 1, byers, but i intend on keeping you around.” as long as that’s what you want, too.

will looked down at the hand that never once left his thigh the entire conversation.

after a moment, he squeezed it with his own, fast, reassuring, grounding, before opening his door without a word and sliding out of the passenger’s seat.