Lean on

The next Saturday

Over the past week, Gareth had almost gone through the motions about his abusers arrest. He had heard from Hopper that Walt was going in front of a judge, and that his mom never posted his bail. In a way, Gareth had begun to think that maybe she was going to come back because she hadn’t chosen Walt this time; in the past week, he had heard nothing from her, and had been told that she had been spending the money on alcohol and gambling.

She didn’t chose Gareth over Walt this time, she chose addiction over the both of them.

That did hurt, he couldn’t lie, but he knew now that he never had to worry about it again. And now he has new guardians and a new home. He was safe and comfortable. And not sleeping in his car.

Also over the past week, he has spent almost every day with Will. Sometimes in group settings, sometimes at his house for dinner, sometimes one on one. The two were getting closer and closer by the day; they had came out to each other and had begun to tell each other about their pasts and traumas. Things were going great so far. Gareth was even getting closer with Dustin and Lucas. Well, maybe not closer, but definitely more comfortable. Mike was a different story. He had really tried getting along with Mike, but something in him just couldn’t do it. He didn’t argue with the guy for Wills sake, but Mike was just such a dick to him no matter what. And with the things Gareth knew about him, it was getting harder and harder to stay civil.

Despite that, it was a really good thing, Gareth thought, that he and Will were hanging out more. He was definitely developing a crush, if he was honest.

Another good thing, that never would’ve happened before, was what he was doing today. He was going to the mall (which he hates) to help Dustin Henderson find his mystery girl, and to buy a suit (which he also hates) to go to Will Byers’ moms wedding. These things that he absolutely hated, with people he never one have hung out with just a month ago, and yet he was having the time of his life.

“Okay,” Dustin said, stopping in front of a men’s apparel store. “This was the store.”

“How do we know she’ll be here?” Will asked. “I mean, maybe she just came with a brother or her dad.” He reasoned. But Gareth knew better.

“Based on what Dustin said, I think she works here.” He shrugged with his hands on his hips. “Why else would she be so good at that shit?” He said with a tone that suggested he was sure in what he was saying. He looked over at Will who shrugged and nodded, then at Dustin who was tapping his foot.

“Ah, shit. Worth a shot, right?” He clapped Gareths shoulder and walked in. He and Will followed. “Alright, im gonna go over to the shoes, you guys go over to the accessories. Keep an eye out!” He pointed and started to walk away, pointing at the two of them.

Gareth and Will began to walk to the corner of the store with the accessories. Gareth bumped Wills shoulder with his own. “Wanna get friendship bracelets?” He joked. Will giggled.

“Totally,” Will smiled over at Gareth. They began to scan the items while also searching for Lucy; not that they knew what she looks like or anything. Most of the things were tacky bracelets and necklaces, caps and sunglasses. Not much of it was Gareths style, at least nothing that he saw was. But when he turned to look at Will, he was looking very intently at a ring in his hand.

“What’s that?” Gareth asked, walking over and putting his hand on the table. He was standing quite close to Will, as to examine the ring in his hand (obviously, why else).

“It’s, like, the perfect ring for you.” He handed the to Gareth. It was perfect. It was a black ring with a silver engraving of a drum set.

“Woah, that’s actually insane.” Gareth exclaimed.

“They have all sorts of hobbies,” Will said, pointing at the rings. “There’s football, guitar, a book, all sorts of things.” Gareth began to study each ring being displayed, very closely. “What are you looking for?”

“A paint brush,” the focus caused him to speak quietly. After a second, he found a black ring with a silver engraving of a paint brush. He smiled wildly and handed the ring to Will. “Perfect!” The two were standing very close still, looking at the rings and trying them on.

“Those rings are buy one get one free today.” A sweet voice said from next to them. They looked, it was a blonde girl wearing a blue t and black shorts. “All of our jewelry is, actually.”

“Wait, you’re Lucy, right?” Will asked.

“Yeah?” The girl sounded confused but still wore a smile.

“You helped our friend find glasses and a hat last weekend. Dustin?” Will asked. The girl thought for a second before nodding with a smile.

“I did. He was very sweet.”

“Well,” Gareth started. “We came here so that he could talk to you. He is…” Gareth trailed off to look for Dustin. Then, he pointed across the store at him. “Right over there.” Lucy nodded and made her way over to Dustin.

“That was easy,” Will looked back at Gareth.

“Very,” he sighed. “Come on, im buying your ring.”

“What? No-“ Will tried to protest but Gareth put a hand up to stop him and dragged him by his wrist to the cash register.

“Don’t complain; it’s a gift.” Gareth said. He paid the woman before grabbing both rings and walking out of the store. They kept walking until they got to the food court, the rings in Gareths pockets. “What do you want to eat?”

Will hummed in thought. “Pizza?” Will asked. Gareth nodded and led Will to a table, pulling out a chair. Will sat in it. “Let me help pay,”

“Haha, no.” He leaned down to push Wills chair in. “Just sit there and be pretty, Byers.” He whispered before walking off and buying the pizza. When he got back, he sat across from Will and dug the rings out of his pockets. Grabbing Wills hand, he placed the drum set ring on his pointer finger. “So I was thinking,” he started, looking up at a confused Will. “If you wear the drum one, and I wear the paint one, it’s kinda like,” he paused, not knowing what to say.

“Like we’re… keeping each other close?” Will finished the thought slowly. Gareth looked back up at Will and smiled.

“Yeah, exactly.”

——

Suit shopping went quicker than expected and was easy. He got an all black suit, literally only black. It looked amazing on him. Dustin and Lucy had decided to spend the rest of the day together, so Will and Gareth had decided to just go back to Steve’s. His and Eddies practice had gotten postponed to Sunday because nobody else was there; Steve and Eddie had went on a date and Max had gone to Lucas’. So Will and Gareth were scourging for food in the kitchen, and then going up to Gareths room to watch a movie or something.

“How mad do you think Max will be if we eat her cheese puffs?” Gareth asked, holding the bag of chips in Wills direction.

Will laughed lightly, pointing at Gareth. “You’re the one she’s able to kill while you’re sleeping.”

Gareth shrugged, putting the chips in the small snack pile they had made. “Not if I kidnap you and make you stay here.” He made a face at Will who was looking at him like he had three heads. “Then she can get you too.”

“Funny,” Will said, walking over to the fridge to get cokes. “Don’t think im exactly the type to subject myself to that type of…” he thought for the word. “Wrath.” He shook his head and sat the cokes down on the island.

“Yeah, if I didn’t live here I wouldn’t either.” Gareth chuckled and leaned on the island, facing Will. “But seriously, you should stay here one night; it’d be fun.” He shrugged, trying to act casual, like he wasn’t nervous.

Will clenched his teeth and squinted. “Would it though?” He asked. Gareth thought he had royally messed up. As he was looking at Will, wide eyed, Will was staring back in attempt to keep up the facade he had going on. After a second of increased worrying, Will broke and started laughing. “I was kidding!” Gareth let out a breath of relief, one he didn’t even notice he was holding in.

“Shit, Will! You had me sweating and everything!” Gareth laughed, pushing himself off the island and grabbing the snacks off of the other counter. Will was still laughing as he followed Gareth upstairs. “Hey,” Gareth started.

“Hey,”

Gareth opened his bedroom door and moved to let Will into the room before walking in himself and shitting the door. “When’s your mom’s wedding?”

“In a little less than three weeks.” Will said as the 2 sat on the bed.

“Is Jonathan watching you guys while they’re on the honeymoon?” Gareth asked, kind of confused.

“Oh! I didn’t tell you,” Will exclaimed. “Me and El are staying here. Jon’s helping Nance move to college that week.”

Gareth laughed. “So you have to stay over; no choice about it.”

“Yeah, yeah. It was a joke anyways.”

Gareth scoffed and sarcastically rolled his eyes. “Sooooo funny.”

——

The two had ended up next to each other at the top of Gareths bed. Gareth was still munching on snacks and explaining the movie to Will; he had been doing that the whole time, and Will had been responding. He hadn’t noticed when Will went quiet.

Then, he felt something hit his shoulder. When he looked over, he saw a peacefully sleeping Will leaning on him. He felt bad that he had been talking so much while the boy was trying to sleep, but there was nothing he could do now.

As he sat there continuing to watch the movie, Will started to store and curl into him. He adjusted himself to make the boy more comfortable, and put his arm around the boy. Will stayed asleep. After a few minutes, the door opened. Max had came in, having just gotten home.

Gareth put a finger on his lips to make sure she knew to be quiet. When she walked in, her jaw dropped and she laughed quietly.

“Oh my God,” she said, staying in the doorway. Gareth rolled his eyes.

“What do you want, Mayfield?” He whispered and sighed.

“Just wondering if you were home.” She smiled and kind of giggled. “Clearly, you have been.”

Gareth rolled his eyes. “Get out,” she held in her laugh until the door shut behind her. Once she was in the hallway, she started to cackle.

He watched the movie until he eventually nodded off himself. His arms around Will

——

Eddie and Steve were making dinner. Well, Steve was making it while Eddie was in the room; Eddie was a shit cook.

“Ed, can you run upstairs and grab my coat? You and Max keep it freezing in here.” Steve asked. Eddie hummed and got up. While Eddie was on the way to the stairs, Steve remembered something else. “Oh! And get Gare and Max down here; I’m almost done cooking.”

“Got it, Stevie.” Eddie smiled and ran upstairs. He heard Eddie yell something along the lines of “Maxxy Max, time for your nutrition!” Max yelled something back, and Eddie just laughed. Steve laughed at the goofiness of his boyfriend. He expected to hear the same when he went into Gareths room, but it never came.

Soon, Eddie came back down the stairs.

“They coming?” Steve asked, not looking up from the stove. Eddie came over to stand next to him.

“Yeah, uh,” he trailed off. “Did you know Will was here?” Eddie whispered it. There was a weird tone to his voice.

“No?” It came out as more of a question. He didn’t see why it’d be weird. “Why do you sound so… ominous?”

“Because they were taking a nap and… almost cuddling.” He was still whispering, tone still present.

“Oookay? Good for them?” Steve did not understand this at all. “I’m confused, Ed.” He chuckled.

“You know what this means?” Eddie asked. Steve saw a grin grow on Eddies face from the corner of his eye. Steve shook his head. “I get to tease him so much when Will leaves.” He was tapping his fingers infront of his own face like a tv villain. Steve rolled his eyes.

“As fun as that may be, and it really would be fun,” Steve took the pan off the stove and moved it to the island to cool. “It’s probably still nothing.”

Eddie moved over to the island while Steve got plates and silverware out for dinner. “But it’s something!” He was excited. “It’s an advancement.”

“They’ve known each other two weeks, Ed.” Steve said.

“So? We were practically doing everything but each other two weeks after we met.” Eddie reasoned. Steve scoffed.

“We were not,” he smiled over at Eddie.

“Sure, but I knew what I wanted with you by then.” He shrugged. “And I’m pretty sure you did, too.”

“Okay,” Steve trailed off. “But they’re younger.”

“Gareths barely a year younger than you.” Eddie had more to say, but was interrupted by Max walking down the stairs.

“You guys talking about Will and Gareth?” She asked, sitting on one of the stools. Steve and Eddie just stared at her. “They’re into each other.”

Steve raised his eyebrows. “They tell you that?”

“They didn’t have to?” She said it as a question, as if it was obvious. “I mean, I know you know Gareths into him; he had to of said something.” She said to Eddie who just nodded. “And Will, he’s only acted that way with one other person before.”

“Mike,” Steve said. Max motioned to him, as if to say he was right, and got up to make her plate.

“So, you’re saying the cuddling was definitely something?” Eddie asked. Steve hit his arm.

“She probably didn’t know about that. What if they didn’t want people to know it happened, man?”

“No, I knew.” She said, not looking up at them. “I walked in before Gareth fell asleep,” she smiled with a laugh. “Think he was embarrassed,” footsteps were heard coming downstairs, so nobody continued talking.

“You staying for dinner, Byers?” Steve asked. Gareth walked over and handed Will a plate.

“Yeah, if it’s okay.” Will said.

“You know it is,” Steve replied, beginning to make his own plate.

Gareth looked over at Will, who was standing very close. “Want me to make your plate while you call your mom?” He asked. Will nodded and walked out of the room to the phone. Eddie walked behind Gareth and grabbed his shoulder.

“How was your nap, lover boy?” He laughed. Gareth shoved him jokingly.

“Shut up, asshole.” Gareth said, then began making Wills plate. Eddie laughed. “He fell asleep on me; I wasn’t going to push him away.”

“Didn’t have to curl into him,” Max said, mouth full. She was wriggling her eyebrows. Gareth rolled his eyes.

“Okay, Mayfield. Let’s talk about what you did at Lucas’.”

“Ate ice cream and watched a movie.” She said, matter of factly. Gareth was going to respond, but Steve held up his hand to stop it.

“Okay, we do not need to get into that.” Eddie laughed. Will walked back into the room.

“All good, Wils?” Gareth asked, handing him the plate. Will smiled and nodded.

“Can you take me home? She said she can come get me if she needs, but they’re wedding planning. Just little details,”

“Yeah, I will.” Gareth answered. “I was planning to anyways.”

——

On the way to Will house, things were quiet conversation wise. The music was loud until Will turned it down.

“I had fun today,” he said. Gareth smiled over at him quickly.

“I did, too.” He said. “We should do something else next weekend,”

“Like what?”

“Ice cream and the arcade? Dinner after?” Gareth suggested, Will nodded. “But on Sunday; can’t postpone another practice.”

“Okay, it’s a date.” Will said with a smile. “I don’t think I’ll be able to fall asleep again,” he sighed.

“Yeah, we were out for a while.” Gareth chuckled. “If you get artists block and get bored, give me a call.”

“I might have to,” Will said.

“What are you doing tomorrow?” Gareth asked, not wanting the conversation to be over.

“Hanging out with the guys.” Will said. “Mike and Dustin say it’s been too long since it was just the four of us.”

Gareth nodded, thoughts souring at the mention of Wheeler. “What are you guys gonna do?”

“Probably just sitting around Dustin’s; maybe playing his Atari.” Will sounded weird about the topic.

“You don’t sound too thrilled.”

“No, I am. It’s just…” he paused in thought. Gareth didn’t say anything. “I don’t know. Mikes so weird about you still.”

Gareth chuckled. “I’m weird about him, too. It’s okay.”

“I guess, but he’s more open about it.” Will said, then shook his head. “I don’t know. But Dustin and Lucas are cool with you; they even really like you now.”

“And I like them.” Gareth smiled over at Will. He knew what it meant for Will that Gareth got along with his other friends. And even though he didn’t get along with Mike, he still would try to. He would play nice.

“Good,” Will smiled genuinely. When Gareth glanced over at him, he noticed Will fidgeting with the ring.

“You like the ring?” Gareth asked.

“Yeah, I’m sure one of the guys is gonna say something about it.”

“What are you gonna say?”

“Just that we got matching rings,” Will said with a shrug. “They might think it’s weird, but I doubt it.” Gareth knew Mike would definitely think something weird, probably say it to Will out loud. But Gareth wasn’t going to be there, so he wouldn’t have to get mad about it.

The rest of the ride was quiet. It was comfortable; the boys would exchange smiles every once in a while, and would sing along to songs together.

When they got to Wills house, Will went to get out but Gareth put his arm over Wills chest to stop him. Gareth got out, went around the car and opened Wills door for him. Will got out and Gareth shut the door. As they walked to the porch, Gareth kept his hand on the middle of Wills back. They stopped infront of the door and just looked at each other.

“I had fun today,” Gareth said after a few seconds. Will smiled up at him.

“I did, too.” They were both talking quietly, smiles stuck on their faces. “I’ll see you Tuesday, I think.”

“You think?”

Will nodded. “I might come hang out for a little bit, if it’s okay.”

“You know it is, Wils.” Gareth said. They began to just look at each other again, then Gareth got a burst of confidence and pulled Will into a tight hug; to Gareths surprise, Will returned it.

For a moment, they just held each other, not wanting to let go. Gareths face was in Wills hair, and it was the most comfortable and happy that he had been in a while. He breathed in deep, not wanting to leave this moment. He knew if he didn’t now that he never would.

He pulled back, taking both of Wills hands in his own in between them. He ran his thumbs along Wills knuckles as they made eye contact.

“Bye, Wils.” He whispered. “I’ll call when I’m home, okay?”

“Bye, Gareth.” Will smiled. Gareth squeezed his hands before making his way to his car.

——

When Gareth got home, everyone was in their rooms, he figured. The downstairs part of the house was empty. He figured Max was watching tv in hers, and that Steve was reading while Eddie tuned his guitar.

He was wrong. When he walked in his room, Max was sitting in his bed, eating a snack and watching his tv. “Uh, hey?” He said. Max perked up.

“Good you’re home,” she said.

“Yeah, and you’re in my room.” He said, sitting his stuff down and standing in front of the tv.

Max shrugged. “I wanted to ask what happened with Will.”

“Okay,” he said, confused. “We took a nap, we ate, I took him home.”

“Okay Mr. Obvious.” She rolled her eyes. Gareth sat across from her on the bed. “I mean the cuddling. Did anything else happen?”

Gareth sighed. “No, Max. We hugged when I dropped him off; that’s it. Nothing juicy.” Max groaned. “Hate to burst your bubble.”

“That a new ring?” She asked, going to grab at Gareths finger. He jerked his hand back with a sigh.

“Yes, we got matching ones.” He took the ring off and handed it to her. “I got paint brushes and he got one with a drum set.”

Max looked up at him with a weird look. “Ooooo,”

“Shut the fuck up,” he jerked the ring out of her hand and put it back on. “It’s still nothing; it’s been two weeks.”

“So? That doesn’t mean it’s nothing; it just means things haven’t got serious yet.”

“Exactly.”

“So when are you asking him out?”

“I kinda did. Next weekend. Not technically a date, but…” Gareth trailed off.

“It might as well be,” Max said. Gareth rolled his eyes.

“Get out, Maxine.” He pointed at the door. “I said I’d call him when I got home.”

“Oh, so it’s definitely a date,” ——

Sunday morning

Will had went to Dustin’s early that morning. Mike and Lucas were already there when he arrived. They had ordered pizza and were now talking over the movie playing while sat in the living room floor.

“Me and Lucy went to scoops, then we walked around the mall and talked for hours.” He was rambling. “She’s actually really smart; not like nerdy like us, but she’s fashion smart and is really good with words and stuff. She even said she’d be willing to join the next campaign.”

Everyone was smiling at Dustin’s excitement. “And we’re sure she’s real this time?”

“Suzie was real,” Mike said. Dustin pointed at him with one hand and flipped Lucas off with the other. He would’ve talked, but his mouth was full of pizza.

“I never met her.” Lucas shrugged.

“Mike and I did, she was real.” Will said, laughing at Lucas messing with Dustin.

“Thank you!” Dustin called, hand over his mouth.

“Lucy’s real, too. Me and Gareth met her.” Will said to Lucas who nodded.

“Hold on, how does Will and Gareths word about Lucy trump mine about Suzie?” Mike asked.

“Just does.” Lucas shrugged. “That where the drum set ring came from?” Lucas asked. Will almost forgot about the ring, and was surprised Lucas noticed.

“Oh, yeah. We got matching ones; his has a paint brush.”

“That’s cool.” Dustin said, grabbing another piece of pizza. “You get it from Lucy’s store?”

“Yeah, they got cool stuff there,” Will said.

“Right!” Dustin exclaimed. He was gonna go on a rant about the store, but Mike stopped him.

“Why’d you guys get matching rings?” He asked, judgy tone in his voice.

“We, uh, thought it’d be nice.” Will said cautiously.

“You just met?”

“Yeah, but we’ve hung out a lot.” Will said with a nervous shrug. Mike just made a face, shook his head with an eye roll, and turned to the movie.

“Well,” Lucas started. “I for one think it’s very nice.” He said, winking at Will as to not let the others know about the (not so) secret crush between Will and Gareth.

——

Later, Lucas and Will were alone in the kitchen while Mike was in the bathroom and Dustin cleaned up the living room.

“So,” Lucas started. “Max called yesterday and told me about your nap,”

Will laughed, kind of embarrassed. “Yeah, I didn’t mean for that to happen; I don’t know why I did that.”

“Well from what she said, Gareth didn’t mind one bit.” Lucas said. “He feels the same, you know.”

“Yeah, I know,” Will smiled over at Lucas who raised his eyebrows. “I wasn’t sure, but he hugged me last night when he dropped me off. And he held my hands.”

Lucas clapped his hand on Wills shoulder. “I told you, Will!” He laughed. Will laughed too, and gently moved off Lucas’ hand.

“He also asked me out, I think.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah; ice cream, arcade, dinner. Next Sunday.”

“So you have a date? Alright, Will.” Lucas said excitedly.

“Nobody said date,”

“But it is a date,” he said. The two smiled at each other knowingly before breaking out in laughter.