"There's nothing more to it"
As Mike sat on the windowsill and traced the lines on Will's face with his eyes he began to wonder. What would have become of them if things had been different? What would the world look like if El got to be a normal girl? What would happen to his world if they got to be normal kids? Would they still be sitting here looking at the sunset? Mike hoped so.
He hoped that in every lifetime, in every outcome, in every timeline, he would end up by Will's side. To him it didn't matter how long it took, as long as he was safe and at Mikes side, what else was there to it?
"Do you think there are actually other universes like Dustin always says?" Mike asked, not moving his eyes from Will's face.
Will looked contemplative for a moment before turning to meet Mikes eyes, the pressure of his hazel-brown washing over Mike, "probably. I mean if you think about every decision you've made, you have to wonder what would happen if you chose differently." He said.
"Do you think you're my friend in ever universe?" Mike asked
"Do you think you're my best friend in every universe?" Will shot back with a laugh.
"Yes, you are my best friend in ever universe, obviously." Mike joined in Will's soft chuckles, "like if we were in some fantasy universe, I would obviously be your knight."
"Oh brave paladin, protect me from these foes!" Will continued laughing, "something like that right?"
"Exactly, I'll always be by your side." Mike said with determination.
"Look at you Mr.Wheeler the sentimental," Will met Mike's eyes, "I hope I'm always by your side too." Will turned to look at the horizon again
And there was a pleasant calmness in the statement. Like a quiet reassurance that this burning in Mike's chest was universe, was reciprocal. Like even if mike wasn't fully sure what was being reciprocated, he knew it was true.
"You'll grow old with me right?" Mike asked
"What?" Will said, flushed in the face.
"We're gonna be super cool comic book creators living in New York together or something." Mike said, "until we're old and wrinkly and can't write or draw another panel."
"What about a wife or kids?" Will asked.
"I don't know... I always imaged us growing old together." Mike said, "us side by side bickering over what gameshow to watch in our arm chairs.
Will visibly flushed at this, "you're so weird Michael."
"Don't act like you can't see it too." Mike laughed.
"I can, and that's what makes it worse-" Will said.
"I'm glad we agree, because I'm not growing old and wrinkly without you." Mike said.
Mike didn't know why, but for some unfathomable reason, this was all he wanted. All he'd ever wanted. Will and him. Will and I. His future had always been Will, plain and simple. There was nothing more to it.
Hello internet 👋 my back hurts so much 🫶😄 I have shrimp posture when I'm drawing unfortunately. I had 3 references open while I was drawing this one, save me- this was again more experimental, just trying to figure out how I like to paint lolol. Almost threw this one away too but I DIDN'T!
I was a little sad that I didn't have the energy to write a proper little mini fic for my last post, so I have a little bit of a longer one for you internet👾. Consider it thanks for reading and following along!
