Byler-pilled for life

Will teaches Mike how to swim, Mike teaches Will that it's okay to take what he wants.

Palace Arcade Mike + Lifeguard Will = PalacePool

https://archiveofourown.org/works/82748921

I prefer a Top Will scenario but this would be a delicious read as Bottom Will, so, here's my vision.

Top Will says his cock is too big that it's pathetic, a waste of dick that never gets used because he's busy being fucked instead

It's Mike and some random girl and he looks over at Will who's watching him with a mix of curiosity, fear, and a challenge, and something in their shared look tells Mike that this is a test and if he kisses her he will admit to Will that there's nothing going on between them but if he refuses then it'll prove Will correct in thinking he doesn't like girls (or is looking to court Will and doesn't care about anyone else, if you prefer bi Mike) and that Will has a chance with him.

Thing is, Mike knows he's going to refuse and he's pretty fucking sure Will knows this too, and so he takes the challenge and doesn't kiss her. Another shared look, Will's eyes have darkened and he's nodding in approval. He passed the test.

The reason Will knows he'll refuse is because after the events of the sorcerer (or, even better, events linked to MWTFDYD gate) and after losing El, Mike never sought out another girlfriend (and maybe even admitted to Will at some point during the 18 months pre-epilogue that he didn't or couldn't love El the way she needed and it's implied that he was incapable of it specifically because she was a girl, not because she was El and so now its up to Mike to confirm that he wants Will the way he couldn't her or just general wants boys and since Will happens to be a boy, well 🤷

maybe the stuff that happened in MWTFDYD gate continued after El's death or maybe even got stronger/more frequent which is why Will is certain Mike wants him (as he suspected during Sorcerer)