The Red means «I love you»

Will winces, staring at his friend. That sharp metallic smell has been hitting his nose for what feels like forever. The sleeve of Will's gray hoodie is pushed up, revealing his arm covered in cuts and blood — blood that's spilling like it’s racing to escape. Byers doesn’t want to look. His eyes are locked on Mike instead. Crazy Mike. Not exactly a better sight, but still, Will would rather deal with Mike’s stupid face. His stomach churns, his heart's pounding like it’s about to explode. Meanwhile, Mike just smiles — like always, like this is totally fine. And somehow, that makes Will feel even worse. Will winces, staring at his friend. Mike’s face is covered in blood — Will’s blood. Goosebumps spread across Will’s body. He’s shaking, just like Mike, but for different reasons. Mike loves this. Of course, he does. Everything’s always his idea. Nobody asked Will. And honestly, Will probably wouldn’t agree to most of this if he didn’t love him. Drops of blood have soaked into both of their sneakers. Will presses his lips together, watching as Mike looks like he’s about to say something. “Will, that's wonderful?” Mike asks in that annoyingly intense voice, a mix of excitement and madness. Will grimaces harder, can’t stand it, and looks away. And the answer? He’s trying to say something, but his tongue trips over itself, caught in the stress. It pisses him off, like it’s just another way he’s weak. “It’s beautiful!” Mike yells, not waiting for Will’s reply. That makes Will frown harder, his eyes snapping back to his friend. Then Mike’s lips are on Will’s. Gross. And at the same time… absolutely amazing. “And the red on my face, is matching you” Mike sings, still way too close to Will’s face. Byers frowns again, his brain scrambling to figure out where those words are from, trying hard not to think about what’s happening. Mike stares intently at Will’s confused, anxious face. He’s fascinated by everything happening. He loves it. Will’s trembling, interlocked hands don’t go unnoticed. Mike places his hand on Will’s shoulder, hoping to calm him down, but Will flinches, startled. Will leans in for another kiss, but just as the gap between them shrinks to almost nothing, he freezes, interrupting himself. “Mike, please…” Is Will… crying? Mike smirks, and in a moment, the distance between them stretches back to five inches. “You’re down and you’re pleading,” Mike sings again, closing his eyes. His hand on Will’s shoulder starts to feel heavier, and Will averts his gaze. Byers doesn’t even know what’s happening anymore. Suddenly, Mike grabs Will’s hand—the one with fresh cuts still oozing blood. Will glances at it, bites his tongue, and winces. His stomach churns. He wants to puke. From Mike, from the blood, from himself. What Will *didn’t* expect at all was Mike lowering his lips to Will’s bloodied wrist. Kissing it. Will’s eyes widen. Part of him likes it, but the other part is screaming: What the hell is happening? “My head is just reeling” Mike hums again, pulling back from Will’s wrist, licking his lips. Will is flustered. He feels sick. He’s about to throw up. That stupid smirk on Mike’s face is driving him insane. Everything about Mike is too much — overwhelming. “The red means I love you”. Mike whispers. His face is too close to Will’s now. His hand is on Will’s cheek, softly stroking his pale skin. Mike’s eyes flutter shut as he leans in, capturing Will’s lips in a kiss. And this time, Mike is actually kissing him. It surprises Will. It makes his heart race. It makes him feel like the happiest person alive. Will kisses back, hungrily, his hands reaching up to grab Mike’s head, not wanting this moment to end. “I want this to last forever”. Will thinks, trying not to stupidly smile into the kiss. But all good things must end. Mike pulls away, breathless. “Tasting your blood means… I love you”. He says. Will gasps for air, trying to process what just happened. His brain is fried, and it takes him a few seconds to fully register Mike’s words. “The red means I love you,” Mike continues, grinning. “The red means I love you.” “You leave me high and dry,” Will sings, his voice genuine as he recalls the song. A rush comes to my mind At the drops Of blood you leave behind Run as you might, my love will never, ever Stop. They sing the rest of it together, their hands tightly clasped: Cause my insides are red And yours are too And the red on my face Is matching you And goodness you’re bleeding What a wonderful feeling You’re down and you’re pleading My head is just reeling The red means I love you Tasting your blood means I love you The red means I love you The red means I love you-u. Their foreheads press together, eyes closed. Perfect. Just the way Mike wanted it.