#wb001

it had been two days since scott’s funeral, which meant two days since bob realized he couldn’t actually leave hawkins. he still didn’t really understand why that was, but he decided to make the best of it. if he was going to get out of the motel 6 at the edge of town, he’d need a job. and, besides, he’d get too bored spending time watching cable in his hotel room, so he needed something to pass the time and what better place to do that than radioshack? now, bob had been managing this branch by the time he...left hawkins, but he wasn’t egotistical enough to think that because he’d done a job well four years ago, he’d be able to have it back, especially not because he’d have no called, no showed half a dozen times before being let go!

so he walked into the store wearing the same pressed button-up he’d worn to the funeral (because it was that or the only clean t-shirt he had left...this was supposed to be a short trip!), the bell atop the door jingling pleasantly. he put his best smile on his face as he marched up to the counter. “hey, there, young man. i was hoping to see if you all are hiring and if you are, if i could have an application?” the employee’s back was to him at first, so it wasn’t until he turned around that bob recognized him.

he was so much taller than he’d been when bob had gone and he’d cut his hair differently, but there was no mistaking that wide-eyed look of surprise or the kindness in his yes. bob’s own eyes lit up in recognition even as his stomach churned with guilt. instinct said to apologize or, at the very least, go around the counter to pull will into a hug. bob did none of those things. he did, however, make a joke because that seemed like the least weird thing to do at a time like this. “who are you and what did you do with will byers?” he held his hand out in front of him, about chest height. “about yea high? mom cuts his hair?” he smiled a little sadly. he’d missed so much in his time away. 

lucas had already checked mike’s place and hadn’t found them, so his next stop was the byers’. whenever something weird happened, he always had a little bit of a sinking feeling about will, even though nothing really bad had happened to him in years. but nothing as weird as the graveyard had happened in a couple of years, either, so he felt justified in being a little worried about him. 

he knocked on the door and shifted his weight from one foot to the other as he waited. when will was the one to answer, lucas lurched forward to give him a tight one-armed hug. he would’ve used both if not for the sling. “hey,” he exhaled, voice thick with relief. “where the hell were you guys? i’ve been calling.”