Work Text:
Spring 1979
Joyce stood in the kitchen, her tongue poked between her teeth, spreading peanut butter on toast.
In the living room, the laughter of her son and his best friend was louder than the music coming from the radio, and it made her smile.
When she listened to him like this, happy and having fun, something loosened inside her chest.
She didn't feel like she was a very good mother, most of the time. Always exhausted, always worried about the wrong things, always fighting with Lonnie…
Joyce felt like she was constantly failing her kids. And there was so little that she could do about it.
For a starter, she worked a lot. Will and Jonathan were used to being by themselves at this point. Jonathan was probably more mature then most adult men and this both made her proud and guilty. He looked for Will more like a father should and Joyce felt ashamed to admit that she sort of rely on that.
Will was also not like the other kids, always quiet and observant. Lonnie disliked him the moment he put his eyes on the boy, already claiming him an underdog. Different, he used to say, with a tone Joyce felt shivering in her spine.
There was absolutely nothing wrong with him, though. He was gentle and kind. He was everything she could ask for.
And, now, Will had Mike. His first friend. Inseparable in an endearing way.
Joyce was grateful for everything that the Wheelers did for him. Karen welcomed him to the family, as if he was one of her kids. Joyce thought that it made Mike a little bit hers too.
Will usually spent a lot of time at the Wheeler's house, so when Joyce was off work, she returned the favor by bringing Mike over.
He was good for Will. Joyce remembered how lonely her son used to be. Quite similar to Jonathan, actually. But in a more melancholic way, which worried Joyce.
Jonathan always seemed to embrace his reality, accepting who he was with an ease that surprised her, given his young age.
It was different with Will. He was always trying. He wanted to understand why he couldn't fit in.
But then he had Mike. And even though Joyce could see the hurt in Will's eyes – especially because of Lonnie – Mike made him so happy.
Joyce felt that, besides her and Jonathan, Mike was the person who loved Will the most and made a point of showing it. She had this feeling that, when she could no longer take care of her son, Mike would be the one to take her place. It was reassuring, somehow.
She placed the toasts on a tray and walked towards the living room, where the boys were.
Will was sitting cross-legged, drawing on a piece of cardboard on the coffee table, his tongue sticking out between his teeth just as she had been a few minutes before. Mike was lying on the floor, his head on Chester's stomach, talking.
Mike was always talking. Usually, Will just listened, laughing and making remarks at specific moments.
“Boys,” Joyce placed the tray next to Will’s drawing. “A snack break?”
“Thank you, Mom.” Will took one of the toasts and handed it to Mike first, who had straightened up on the floor next to Chester.
“Thank you, Mrs. Byers.”
Mike was so sweet. Joyce felt her gaze soften every time she looked at him. She found it captivating how he could be brave and stubborn while also being charming and endearing.
She also found it funny how at ease he seemed to be at her house. It was nothing like the Wheeler's. Will didn't have half the things Mike did, the place was small, the food was simple.
Yet, Mike seemed to love being there. Always laying down on the floor, talking out loud and telling her all about his day. Mike was an open book, so different from her own kids.
“Oh, Mrs. Byers, I really needed to talk to you,” he said with his mouth full of toast. “I need to ask you something.”
Joyce sat on the sofa. “Yes, honey. Go ahead.”
“I want to ask for Will’s hand.”
Joyce tried not to react, but her eyes widened slightly.
“Um— his hand?”
“Yes. In marriage.”
Oh.
“I see.” She took a breath in. “And why would you want that?”
“Because I love him very much. And I would like your permission,” he said simply.
“Oh.”
Mike straightened up on the floor, as if trying to appear taller than he was. Beside him, Will sat with flushed cheeks and an innocent little smile, his large eyes full of expectation.
She didn't know whether to find it cute or be terrified.
“Okay,” Joyce said. She didn't quite know what to say. “But you are already friends. You don't need to get married for that.” She mumbled. “Where exactly did that idea come from, sweetie?”
“My mom.” Mike shrugged. “She told me that when two people love each other and want to be together forever, they get married. And then I saw a movie with Nancy and the boy asked the girl’s parents for her hand in marriage. So I thought that's what I should do.”
Oh, Mike…
That was—
Joyce felt her shoulders slump. They were so innocent. She could only be grateful that Mike had asked her, and not Lonnie.
“I understand,” she said slowly. “And Will,” he looked at her, expectantly. “What about you, honey? What do you think of it?”
“Well… I think it's awesome.”
Jesus.
Joyce needed to think about how to handle this. But… how? When two pairs of eyes were staring at her with so much hope.
“Okay, you know what? I need help.” She got up from the sofa, heading towards the phone. “Finish eating and we’ll be right back to this, okay?”
Joyce dialed the Wheeler house and got through on the third ring.
“Karen, it’s Joyce.”
“Joyce? Is everything alright? Is Mike—?”
“Everything’s fine. I just wanted to know… are you busy? Could you come over for a minute?”
“Uh— Sure. Did something happen?”
“Um— I think we need to talk to our children and you need to be here for that. It’s nothing serious, it’s just… it’s delicate. We can’t talk about it over the phone.”
“Okay. Right. I’ll be there, of course. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes!”
Joyce hung up the phone, crossed her arms, and looked at those sweet, sweet boys, so oblivious to reality it hurt.
They needed to be protected, no matter what!
Karen parked in front of the house and got out of the car, somewhat apprehensive. Joyce tried to smile at her, reassuring.
“Hey. Come on in.”
“Hi.” Karen clasped her hands together. “So?”
“Come with me. You won’t believe it.”
Joyce and Karen sat side by side on the sofa, while the boys positioned themselves in front of them. The tray was already empty.
“Mike, tell your mom what you told me.”
It was clear how different Mike was around his own mother. A teenage energy, even though he was only eight years old.
“I asked for Will's hand.”
Karen let out an audible sigh. “Mike!” She laughed, incredulous.
“What?” He asked, ready to retort.
“Did you ask for Will’s hand in marriage?”
“Yeah?”
Karen laughed again. She looked at Joyce, who just nodded, a small smile on her lips.
“Where did you get that from, Michael?”
“You said it! Remember, we went to Aunt Marianne’s party, the wedding anniversary? You said that two people who love each other and want to be together forever can get married. I want to marry Will.”
Karen exchanged a sympathetic glance with Joyce.
“Oh, sweetheart! I didn’t explain it right. This only works with a boy and a girl. You can only marry a girl.”
“What?” Mike looked disgusted. “No. I’m not going to marry a girl. Why would I, if I love Will?”
How to use logic to deal with such an innocent statement?
Joyce laughed. “You say that now, Mike, but when you grow up you’ll change your mind. You’ll meet a nice girl and you’ll want to marry her.”
Will looked at his mother as if she had betrayed him. “No, he won’t.”
“He will, honey. That’s how it is. And so will you.”
“No,” Mike said definitively. “I’m going to marry Will. Only Will.”
Joyce and Karen sighed at the same time.
“Michael, this isn’t…” Karen glanced at Joyce. Swallowed. Continued. “It’s not allowed. Understand? You’re two boys.”
“So what?” Mike asked.
“Two boys can’t get married.”
“Why?”
“Because—” Joyce started but interrupted herself. How do you explain that?
Mike didn't give her time to think. “You said it, Mom. Two people who love each other. If love is all that matters, then great, I can marry Will.”
“It’s not just love that matters, Michael…”
“Then what is?” Mike raised his voice. “Why did you marry Dad?”
“Son, that’s not relevant—”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m going to marry Will. With or without your permission.”
Karen ran a hand over her face, exasperated.
“Right. Have you asked Will if he wants to marry you?”
Mike opened his mouth to answer but closed it again.
Will, who had been silently staring at the rug, looked up at Karen.
“Oh,” he said, then looked at Mike with a smile. “Of course I do.”
“Jesus.”
“See?” Mike looked proud. He smiled at Will too. “Together forever. We’ll write our comic books and play D&D and never work, we'll spend all day at the arcade.”
“Oh, and we can have a Lego room!”
“And a swimming pool.”
“And an ice cream machine in the kitchen.”
“Oh! Cool,” Mike said.
“Cool.” Will echoed.
Their eyes shone. Joyce felt like she wanted to cry.
They were lovely.
“Look, I think—I think we need to calm down.” She stood up. “Karen? A word?”
Karen looked defeated. They went to the kitchen together while the boys were still talking about all the amazing things their house would have, all the places they would visit, and all the dogs they would adopt.
“What are we going to do?” Karen asked, with the expression of someone who needed at least two glasses of wine to get through this situation.
“I don’t know.” And Joyce, who needed at least a pack of cigarettes for the same reason. “Should we explain it to them? Like… how the world works? And how… you know… it’s cruel in this kind of… matters.”
Karen looked deep into Joyce’s eyes with an understanding that made her stomach churn.
“Lonnie has already said things. About Will. About… this. But I think Will still doesn’t… understand, not completely. What his father means.” Correction: she needed two packs of cigarettes. “And they’re just kids. They’re playing. They’re so sweet, Karen…”
“I know. I’m so sorry. Will is… honestly, I’ve never met anyone as sweet as Will.”
“Oh my god, Karen! What about your son?"
“Ah, he can be quite difficult sometimes.”
“And Will? Petulant and extremely judgmental.”
They both laughed.
“We can’t…” Joyce said. “We can’t hurt them. But… what if they tell someone?”
Karen and Joyce looked back at the room, where Will was laughing again at something Mike was doing. They seemed so happy. So small…
“We can ask them not to say anything. They’re growing up so fast, Joyce. They’ll understand soon. But it doesn’t have to be now.”
“So what do we do?”
Karen bit her lower lip before her expression became resolved. Joyce almost laughed at how much she reminded her of Mike.
"Well, let's get them married.”
Joyce hadn't expected Karen to be so enthusiastic about the idea, but an hour later, she was back with a cardboard box in hand.
“Okay. I brought three of Mike's suits for them to choose from, two of Nancy's plastic rings, this white curtain— do you think we can hang it somewhere?” As she spoke, Karen took the items out of the box and placed them on the table. “Oh, and also the Polaroid and the camcorder.”
“Um— you think that's a good idea? To have… recordings?”
“Totally! I need to embarrass Mike with this someday.”
Joyce couldn't help but laugh. They would certainly be embarrassed. Poor things.
“I can't have any… evidence that this happened here. You know? Lonnie…”
Karen's face fell. “Oh, no, don't worry. I'll keep it in the basement.”
“But Ted—”
Karen snorts.
“Ted wouldn’t find it even if I put it right in front of him. He can barely find his own kids inside the house.”
“Okay, then. Mike and Will are outside, picking flowers.”
Karen practically whined, scrunching her nose, a smile on her lips, dying of cuteness aggression.
They had talked to the boys and explained that what would happen there was a secret. Honestly, not the best approach. But Joyce couldn't even begin to imagine what would happen if somebody found out. What Lonnie would do to her, to Will…
“Do you think Jonathan could film it?” Karen asked.
“Absolutely! He won’t tell anyone.”
“Perfect, then.”
The plan began to move. By Will’s decision, the wedding would take place in the woods.
Karen hung the curtain on a nearby tree branch, in a way that really looked like fancy wedding decor. The curtain cascaded down and the light spring breeze made it sway dreamily. It was a beautiful day, of blue sky and the sun rays peeking through the trees.
Mike had three suits: a basic black one, a grayish blue one that looked like the sky in the early morning hours, and a pastel yellow one that was exactly like a French Vanilla ice cream.
“You’ll look good in blue,” Will said, as the four of them stared at the suits on the sofa. “I can wear black.”
“What? No!” Mike pouted. “You can’t wear black. Black is boring. You’re happiness, Will, and you shine… you can’t wear a boring black suit.”
It was settled, then.
They picked white primroses from the edge of the woods and some small stones. Will drew a W and an M on each stone, and Mike made the rings out of aluminum foil, to which Joyce glued the stones on with hot glue.
He said that Nancy's rings were too generic for something this special.
Throughout the process, Joyce couldn’t help but feel a certain tightness in her chest. She knew none of this was real, that they were children, but still… they were putting so much effort into it. They were so devoted to each other, in a way that few real couples were.
Children, Joyce soon learned, were genuinely good. And they loved unconditionally, without expectations. Without the constant reminder that this is a cruel world and that's a threat possibly waiting at every corner.
Especially for sensitive, loving boys like them.
But Joyce didn't want to think about it. She couldn't assume. They were just kids. Just kids having fun.
While Karen helped the boys get dressed, Joyce went for Jonathan.
“Jonathan?” She knocked on her son’s door, which was ajar.
He was wearing headphones, sprawled in bed. His eyes looked up towards her.
“Can you help us? With… something.”
Jonathan took off his headphones and sat up straighter on the bed.
“With what?”
“We kind of… agreed to marry Mike and Will?” Joyce sounded uncertain.
“You what? Oh my God, Mom, have you lost your mind? What if Dad—”
“Your father won’t find out, honey. Besides, it's just make-believe! They’re so happy. We want you to record it, can you do that?”
Jonathan looked at his mother for a few more seconds, the expressions shifting on his face as he accepted the idea. Then he shrugged.
“Yeah. Sure.”
All ready, they all headed for the forest, to the place where Mike and Will liked to play pretending that they were heroes and wizards and knights and princes.
Jonathan and Karen couldn’t stop smiling at how perfect the boys looked.
Mike was annoyed with Karen because she made him wear a tie, while Will had left the first few buttons of his shirt undone. The yellow suit was slightly too big for him, but it didn't matter.
To Joyce, he looked really charming.
Joyce grabbed her old boombox and an Elvis Presley tape, her favorite, so they could enter to the sound of some music.
She pressed play.
The resonant voice of Elvis spread all around them, as he sang that wise men say only fools rush in. Joyce tried not to think of how much of a love song it was.
Mike went in first. Karen was taking everything so seriously that she was even a little emotional, holding her son’s hand, walking him down the “aisle.”
But I can't help falling in love with you
Mike held a handful of primroses and had such a big smile on his face that it really seemed like it was the best day of his life. He stopped near the tree and looked in Will's direction.
Shall I stay? Would it be a sin if I can't help falling in love with you?
Then, Joyce took Will's hand to walk the same path. He looked so handsome, with shiny eyes and flushed cheeks. His hand was sweaty. Before they started walking, Will pulled Joyce's hand until she leaned toward him.
“What’s wrong, sweetie?”
“You’re not going to tell Dad, are you?” He asked in a small voice.
Joyce’s heart broke a little.
“No, baby. It’s our secret. Remember? We agreed on this. Nobody can know.”
He seemed relieved while nodding.
Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes… some things are meant to be
Holding his primroses, Will and her walked toward Mike, who was practically jumping in place, so anxious was he.
Everything felt so special that not even Joyce could help the tears from gathering in the corners of her eyes.
Take my hand, take my whole life, too
When they arrived, the two boys exchanged the flowers.
For I can't help falling in love with you
Jonathan stopped the music.
Joyce and Karen would be the officiants, so Karen began.
“We are gathered here to celebrate the love and friendship between Michael and William.”
“And to witness the promise that these two best friends will be important in each other’s lives forever.” Joyce finished.
Mike and Will were beaming. Joyce couldn’t even remember why this shouldn't be happening.
Jonathan walked around them, capturing images from different angles.
“Michael, do you accept William as your lawful best friend and companion for life?” Joyce asked, her hands clasped in front of her heart, unable to contain the urge to squeeze those boys.
“Yes!”
“And William, do you accept Michael as your lawful best friend and companion for life?” Karen asked the same question, watching Will’s cheeks turn impossibly red.
“Yes.”
“Do you wish to say anything?”
“Like what?” Mike asked.
“Your vows, Michael. What do you promise Will?”
“Oh.” Mike seemed to think. He turned to Will. “Will, I promise to always protect you and be your best friend. I will never lie to you or hurt you. And I will always lend you all the comics you want to read.”
“Aw, Mike—” Karen cooed.
“Oh, oh, I forgot! I also promise that you will always be the first to read my stories.”
Will's eyes sparkled.
“Cool,” he said, exchanging a smile with Mike. He looked at his mother. “My turn?”
“Yes, honey.”
“Okay. Mike, I promise… to be your best friend and I’ll also never ever lie to you. I’ll always do my best to make you happy and we’ll be together forever. I’ll always introduce you to the best music. And I’ll fill your bedroom wall with drawings.”
Mike grinned. “Awesome!”
“Okay, boys, now the rings.” Joyce rushed.
Jonathan approached with the camera, focusing on Mike and Will.
They took the rings out of their pockets. Both looked at their mothers with questioning eyes.
“Ah, it’s on this finger.” Karen showed where to put them on each of their hands.
Then they put them on. Mike gave Will the ring with the letter M, and Will gave Mike the ring with the letter W.
“Well, I think that’s it.” Joyce said, tilting her head, trying to remember her own wedding. “We declared you married, I think.”
“Is that it?” Mike asked, looking at Will. “Now it’s forever.”
“Forever together.” Will gave a sheepish smile, looking from Mike to his own ring on his finger.
“You have to kiss,” Jonathan commented, still behind the camera.
“On the cheek!” Karen quickly added.
“Oh,” Will blushed even more. He leaned in and kissed Mike’s cheek.
It was Mike's turn to blush. He did the same, giving Will a loud kiss on the cheek.
Karen and Joyce started clapping. The boys were also cheering, looking at their own rings against the sunshine.
“They’re playing… right?” Karen asked, her voice choked with emotion. “This is just make-believe.”
“Well, it is. But it’s real too.” Joyce said, shifting her gaze from the boys to Karen. “Something tells me these boys are really going to be together forever.”
They exchanged a knowing look. It was as if many unspoken things were being expressed there, things that neither of them really wanted to say, to make real, in the real world.
So they just smiled.
“Okay, now, photos!” Karen said, blinking away the tears.
Mike grumbled, but posed for the photos anyway.
One where he had an arm around Will's shoulders, a huge smile on his lips. Another with them both showing off their rings and the flowers in their hands. Then another while Will was laughing because, right then, Mike swallowed a mosquito.
They were overjoyed.
Silently watching the scene unfold, Joyce vowed she would do anything for them. She would do anything to protect what they had.
And, with a glance at Karen, she realized the other would do the same. They were their children. Innocent and beautiful, lovable to the point of hurting, with bright eyes and big smiles on their lips.
Jonathan also took a picture of them with their mothers, and the only thing bothering Joyce at that moment was not being able to hang those photos on the living room wall.
“Can we get ice cream now?” Mike asked, tugging at his tie again. “And take off this thing!”
“Yeah, yeah, we can. Let’s go.”
“I can’t believe you got married before me, buddy! I’m older than you!” Jonathan kept saying, as they headed back to the house.
Both Mike and Will laughed at that, and started bumping each other on the shoulder. Mike made Will shriek by messing with his hair, then he ran.
“Wait, I'm your husband now, I'll open the door for you!”
Karen, right behind him, almost tripped. “Oh my god, he'll be insufferable about it, won't he?”
Joyce stayed behind, watching. The sun and the smell of moss made everything so real. She couldn't shake the feeling that what they witnessed there was more than a child's fantasy.
But honestly if this was really meant to be, then it was something to worry about in the future. Right now she would take ice cream with her kids and bask in the feeling of the overwhelming love that she felt for them.