Will Byers x Ftm!reader (friends to lovers) Part 1
Trigger warning!: transphobia (including slurs),cussing,bullying,misgendering,not proofread
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Will was always a timid boy. He took after his older brother Jonathan in that sense.
He only found courage in made up worlds of gnomes with riddles and corrupt Elven kingdoms. Here him and his friends were heroes.
That was until he went missing. He was dragged into that horrible underworld of creatures that a little boy of his age couldn't even imagine in his worst nightmares.
The experience scarred him for life and he still felt a connection to Vecna, although the thread that tied them together was dwindling and weak.
In the books he's read these dangerous and traumatic experiences usually makes the protagonist braver,more likely to take risks but Will found that it had the exact opposite effect on him. He's become even more withdrawn and fearful of the world outside him.
He only had a few friends but they were all he needed to be happy and content within himself. When Mike wasn't around he usually kept to himself.
Hawkins was a small town so people were bound to talk when there was news that a new family moved into town.
The family had three kids. Billy was the oldest and awfully scary...and mean. He tried to avoid the walking cigarette ad as much as possible.
Then there was the twins. Max and you. She introduced you as her brother but he noticed how people in the hallway would sometimes call you a girl. He didn't quite understand why. You seemed like a regular boy to him,towering over most of the 14 year old boys in the grade.
Mike asked Max once to which he only got an awkward silence and "It's none of your business okay?"
Max called you by a different name than the teachers did. It intrigued Will.
Max was showing off her skateboarding skills to Mike,El, Dustin and Luke.
"Nice sketch" You caught him off guard,he nearly jumped as high as the empire state building. He didn't even realise it but he'd subconsciously started to draw you. The mystery that the shy Will Byers was both confused by but also too scared to ask about. "Oh um-"
He wasn't given a chance to apologise.
You took the sketchpad and smiled. It's the first time he's seen a smile reach your eyes. "Damn you've got some skills. Thanks for making me look so cool"
He felt a bit flustered at the compliment. "Oh no problem. Sorry"
"I don't know...Sorry" He cast his eyes downwards suddenly very interested in his worn sneakers.
Your laughter was a surprise but a welcome one. For someone who had a similar resting face as his older brother you were nothing like Billy. "Stop that. I'm banning you from saying sorry"
Will have a hesitant nod and let you take the pencil as you worked on the sketchpad in an attempt to draw him.
The result was...interesting. He had to hold back a laugh.
"Um rude. What, you don't like it?"
"No no it's great" Will haven't found himself so at ease in a while,tormented in his dreams and memories by Vecna,this was a nice change although he didn't expect it to last.
Mike had become more distant ever since his relationship with El had become more serious.
When they weren't busy working on their mission Will seldom saw his best friend. It left him feeling lonely.
He had these splitting headaches and visions that he didn't quite understand. But he didn't want to worry his mom who's already been through enough so he decided not to tell her. As for his friends. Mike was happy and distracted. He hadn't found the right time to tell him about it and him and Dustin and Lukas weren't exactly all that close to be honest.
It was during Biology when he felt a painfully loud ring of a bell in his ears. The lack of response of his peers told him that this noise was just a symptom of another one of his episodes. He tried to focused and ignore it but his headache was worsening to the point where he felt like his brain was being marred by a Demogorgon.
He asked to go to the bathroom and stumbled to the boys bathroom. He washed his face and took deep breaths but it didn't stop the overwhelming visions and he felt himself seize on the ground as the episode worsened.
"Oh my god! Will?" A familiar voice called I'm the distance but he wasn't able to make it out back then.
By the time he regained consciousness he was in the infirmary with you at his side. Judging by the clock it was just after break time.
Your malicious gnawing at your nails came to a halt when you saw him stir awake. "How're you feeling?"
"I'm okay" He was surprised to see you again. Was it you who helped him?
"You had a seizure" You stated before he had time to ask a question of his own. "Have you always had epilepsy?"
He felt his mind blank,unable to come up with a believable explanation for what happened just now that won't make you think he's crazy. Words failed to form so Will opted for a shrug.
Judging by the frown on your face that wasn't the answer you expected. "This isn't funny you could've gotten hurt"
"Right sorry" His apology was genuine. His nature was timid as usual.
"I can't explain right now"
You raised and eyebrow and scoffed in disbelief, almost annoyed by his secrecy. "Fine have it your way"
You left the room shortly afterwards. Will doesn't understand why he felt a sense of disappointment to see you go.
You didn't question him again after that but you were oddly specific of making sure Will stayed in the shade on hot summer days and that he drank enough water as well as stayed away from any flashing lights during friendly gatherings. It made the guilt in him grow since he knew these small gestures wouldn't actually help him.
The only thing that can help him is finding a way to sever his body to Vecna.
It's the middle of your 10th grade and your group spent most of your time at the arcade or harassing Steve at the ice cream shop on particularly hot days.
Max and Lukas arguing with your sister,Max, about who's better at Pacman. "I got a higher score last time"
"You can't cheat a high score"
Will felt unsure how to resolve this conflict. "Um I think you guys are both pretty good at it"
"Stay out if this Will" the unison retort of the bickering pair made him back off quickly and go to search for Mike.
His enthusiasm upon seeing his friend soured at the sight of him holding hands with El as the pair rollerskated together. The disco ball illuminated the dimly lit rink. He felt a sense of envy over El's effortless beauty and ability to catch Mike's attention.
"Come on shortstack. Time for some skating" You dangled a pair of rollerblades in front of him. He'd almost gotten used to your tendency to show up when he least expects it. Almost.
"I'm not that good at roller skating" He warned but you grabbed his hand and dragged him to the bench to lace up his shoes.
"That's ok neither am I. Come on it'll be fun"
"Um ok" Something about being in the presence of your audacity made him feel braver. He wasn't quite sure why.
You both slowly made your way onto the rink after lacing up your shoes. It was needless to say an absolute disaster from the start. It took three seconds for you both to fall on your butts. You both tried to get up only to fall again.
If he was alone he'd surely have died from embarrassment by now but your laughter was contagious. You crawled your way to the nearest wall and pulled yourself up before offering him a hand.
He took it and for a moment he felt as if the whole world faded away the moment your hand was in his and his eyes met your dark brown ones.
That moment soon came to an end when El,or better in this place known as Jane, got in a fight with another girl.
This year's been especially hard for you. As you got older the boys in your grade realised that you still had the same high pitched voice,non hairy face and soft features.
The harassment got worse ever since you had changed your name officially by 15. Billy had helped you at home affairs since you both knew that your dad would kill you if he knew.
Your older brother wasn't always the kindest but he cared in his own way.
Will noticed that you started becoming more distant,your usual bright demeanor dimmed by something. He just didn't quite know what it was yet. He doesn't know why but it bothered him.
It was during P.E when you went to one of the stalls to change while him and the rest of the guys changed in the locker rooms.
You usually did this but he didn't know why. He wasn't going to prod though.
You'd always enter the locker rooms at some point at the end of the day and you'd pack your things in your locker.
Your hands were shaking today but you still seemed stubborn on pretending to be nonchalant and unaffected even when that boy approached you. Dean Bradley. He was one of the popular kids in your grade and an absolute dickhead.
"I thought I told you you're not allowed to be in here,tranny. Get the fuck out of here you perv" Every word made you shake within your core but you stood your ground and refused to break eye contact. You weren't about to give a lowlife like him the satisfaction.
Will stood frozen,trying to figure out what tranny meant. He's never heard that word before.
"You know the principal said I could be here. Get the fuck out of my face"
Dean scoffed and took a step closer,his towering figure an attempt to intimidate you no doubt. You had to dig your fingernails in your palm to maintain a pokerface. "Or what? Are you gonna flash me your tits,crazy bitch?"
It all happened so fast. The rage within you bubbled up and overflowed. You didn't even process your own actions but next thing you knew you were punching Dean Bradley's face in with your bare knuckles that'll be an ugly black and purple tomorrow no doubt.
"Okay that's enough" A teacher had to intervene. He wasn't interested in listening to either party's side of the story. "Both of you go to the principal's office. Now"
You got suspended for your little ordeal but atleast Dean Bradley seemed more cautious around you now.
The whole school became aware of your temper by the end of next period.
Will was hesitant to approach you. Not out of fear but he felt guilty for being too scared to help you when Dean said what he said.
"For you" He handed the pack of ice he'd retrieved from the nurse's office like it was some piece offering. "Are you ok?"
You raised an eyebrow at his act of kindness but smiled faintly. This time your smile didn't quite reach your eyes. He could tell you're in pain. "I'm fine"
"You don't seem fine" His voice remained gentle despite him calling you out on your bullshit facade of indifference.
You sighed and sat on the floor. The hallway was actually quite nice when it wasn't crowded with the overflow of students. "Does the teacher know you're skipping class?"
"You're changing the subject" he pointed out,slightly amused but his playful grin soon faded into a more serious expression. "Whats a...tranny?"
Your smirk vanished upon the mention of that word. You held the ice against your sore knuckles before thinking of a way to explain. "It's a bad word used to put down people who are different"
"Oh. I see" He felt a wave of empathy wash over him. "I'm sorry he called you that"
"It's fine I'm used to it" Will could sense the sadness and defeat behind your statement and he suddenly felt his heart ache at the idea of your suffering.
He took over the task of holding the ice pack against your battered hands,his fingers instinctively tracing gently along the bruises on your knuckles. "Sometimes I also feel different" He admitted to which you hummed in response,listening attentively. "Do you ever wish you weren't different?"
You thought for a moment about his question. "I did,for a while atleast. But right now I'd have to say no. I'm happier being myself even if it comes with it's consequences. It's scary but I feel like I can finally breathe from the moment I started living life how I wanted to. That's all that matters at the end of the day right? No one's gonna care in a hundred years if you fit in or not" your eyes were fixated on his hands when you answered.
"I guess" He noticed his actions might be inappropriate and he immediately let go of your hand which made you laugh. "Sorry"
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Part 2 >>> Part 3 >>> Part 4 >>>Masterlist
