#lostcleric

[hiisheart]

@lostcleric said: ❝ can i braid your hair? ❞ (tee hee)

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ♥︎ . *. ⋆ ❝ ... YOU WANT TO BRAID MY HAIR? ❞ he's unsure why the request sounds so childish, so out-of-nowhere, but after taking all this time to grow his hair out this long, part of him had figured it would only be a matter of time before someone wanted to mess with it. sure, most of that being messed with manifested in holly grabbing a handful of it and YANKING it for her own entertainment, but thinking about will messing with his hair ... he almost didn't think of it as having his hair messed with. it manifested as a more intimate moment between the two of them, one that made his heart thrum and his face flush.

there's a lump in his throat, he realizes, but he brushes it off with a laugh, horribly concerned his behavior already would seem SKETCHY to the other. he instead shrugs and turns his head to the side, invitingly tucking a strand of dark curls behind one ear. ❝ i mean ... knock yourself out. ❞

PROMPTS FOR PLAYFUL AFFECTION .

[rebelliousfamily]

❛ whoever renovated this house did a terrible job. ❜ ( for el! )

@lostcleric

El frowned as she looked around at the walls. She didn't like it all that much either. She looked back over towards her brother and gave him an amused smile. "I bet it was Hop. He has terrible taste. You should hear his music." She made a face. It was pretty awful. She much preferred the music that Max had shown her. Even some of the music that Jonathan had showed her too. "I hope that it wasn't Joyce..."

[rebelliousfamily]

El giggled when Will had made a face at thinking of Hopper's music. She was pretty sure she made the exact same face when he had found that old record and put it on in the cabin. It really wasn't the kind of music she had found herself liking. For a while she had only really listened to the same music that Mike had liked. Until Max and her started hanging out more.

"Joyce always tells Hopper if she doesn't like something." She pointed out and smiled. "I saw her once tell him that she didn't like his shirt and he looked like she'd said he was ugly."

[ @rebelliousfamily x ]

❝ Oh god - I don't even wanna know what he listens to, ❞ Will makes a face of his own, nose scrunching in slight disgust. Hopper was .... well, Hopper. Will didn't quite understand what his mom saw in the chief, but if he made her happy, there was no complaints on his end. Or well, minimal complaints.

❝ I didn't even think of that – I'd like to think she has good enough taste to not approve of this, but... ❞ Will's gaze flits over the strange design of the room and sighs. ❝ Best not to bring it up unless she does? Unless we wanna end up re-doing the whole place. ❞

[hiisheart]

@lostcleric said: "stop! i surrender! i surrender!"

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ♥︎ . *. ⋆ IT WAS A BIT OF A silly thing to use as a tool to get what he wanted, but it wasn't like fighting back was a great option, either. will had grown since they had both seen each other in person, and along with that his strength had as well. while mike's own strength had likely IMPROVED as well, he was still quite lanky, and as a result very easy to manhandle.

he figured that the only way he'd get out of this position he found himself forced into — trying to get the madonna tape for his walkman back — was to wield the tickle weapon, reaching for the back of will's knee and breathing a huff of surprise as he topples over, immediately giving mike the upper hand as he continues to EXPLOIT his friend's weakness. it was fun while it lasted, but after a while he could begin to hear the exhaustion in the other's pleas, so he decides to pull back but only after snatching the tape back.

❝ that's why you don't mess with a wheeler, ❞ mike teases, surreptitiously MONITORING will's body language as he helps him to his feet, just to make sure he was okay and to make sure he didn't accidentally go too far. ❝ why'd you snag this one from me anyway? i thought you were more into rock and stuff. ❞

PROMPTS FOR PLAYFUL AFFECTION .

[hiisheart]

@lostcleric said: [ hair ] sender leans in to fix receiver's hair

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ♥︎ . *. ⋆ ❝ HEY, IT LOOKS FINE, ❞ MIKE BREATHES out in response, gently turning his head to the side to avoid the other incessantly poking at his hair. will had been playing with his hair all morning, and yeah, he knew he had a bit of a rat's nest of a do, but it wasn't like it was totally messy, totally unkempt, totally DISTRACTING. at least to him, but maybe will felt differently about it.

oh, well. he wasn't about to complain about him messing with his hair. if anything, he liked it, and wanted him to keep it up. did it have anything to do with the INTIMACY of the gesture? perhaps, but he'd deny it until the ends of the earth.

ACTION PROMPTS FOR LEANING .

[hiisheart]

@lostcleric said: “Stay the night. Please.”

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ♥︎ . *. ⋆ HE COULDN'T POSSIBLY DENY A REQUEST like that, especially not after zeroing in on will's tone, the desperation and fear crystal-clear in every word he spoke. it wouldn't surprise mike to learn if will somehow had difficulty falling and staying asleep, especially alone. after all, he was still connected with vecna, and will was likely the most exposed and VULNERABLE mentally when he was asleep. perhaps just having someone he trusted, someone to share his room for just one night would help to put his mind at ease. at least, that'd be helpful for mike if he was in will's situation.

❝ ... okay. whatever it is you need, ❞ he offers. it wasn't like they had to decide this NOW, but it took up far too much space in his mind. best to get it out sooner rather than later. ❝ do you ... do you want me on the floor, or in bed, or ... ? ❞

RANDOM SENTENCE STARTERS .

[hiisheart]

@lostcleric ( them in their thread !!! )

bun

[rebelliousfamily]

❛ hey, what are you doing for the next, like, thirteen hours? ❜ ( for max! )

@lostcleric

"Are you going to ask me to play DnD?" Max asked Will and raised an eyebrow at the other boy. Normally the other lads she would have said no to. Especially Mike. "Because I can't think of anything else that would take that long. Unless it's like a movie night? Because I am technically free."

[rebelliousfamily]

"I'm a nice person but I'm about to start throwing rocks at people." ( to nancy! )

@lostcleric

"Is one of those people my brother? You can say yes." Nancy asked him and raised an eyebrow slightly. She knew that they had been having a few complications with their friendship recently. Much like her and Jonathan really. Maybe it was a Wheeler thing? That they were rubbish at communicating.

"Or is there someone that I need to go out and shoot? Since you're like my brother in law in a way."

[hiisheart]

@lostcleric said: [ swings ] sender and receiver sit on a swingset together

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ♥︎ . *. ⋆ HE WISHED THE INDIVIDUAL SWINGS WEREN'T so far away from each other. sure, he understood why they were built the way they were, so those who were swinging didn't accidentally collide — mike himself could attest to how PAINFUL it was to have that happen. but sitting here, enjoying the setting and the way it took him back to when they were younger, when they didn't have to feel the weight of the world on their shoulders ... he just wanted to be as close as possible to will, to feel his warmth, to COMFORT him in whatever way he could.

❝ it's still the best thing i've ever done. ❞ the words were spoken before they could be bitten back, but it wasn't like there was anything in what he said that was false, that was an exaggeration. he didn't even realize how DESPERATELY he needed to say it, how being here once again so vividly reminded him of their first meeting all those years ago, as if the admission had been desperately clawing at his unconscious, needing to break free. sure, mike was a little embarrassed at breaking the silence so suddenly, with an admission so personal, but he figured this was something will still needed to hear. ❝ i mean ... you know, meeting you. ❞

PROMPTS FOR PLAYFUL AFFECTION .

[hiisheart]

@lostcleric said: [ comfort ] seeking comfort, sender leans into receiver

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ♥︎ . *. ⋆ PUTTING HIS ARM AROUND WILL AS he leans into him, he can almost feel the tremors working their way through his body. he'd been through a lot lately; not only was he likely in a lot of physical DISCOMFORT given the fact that they were back in hawkins, right where he had a direct link to the upside down and with vecna, but he'd also been exerting a lot of physical and mental strength as of late. each day the team was getting closer && closer, lead after lead being uncovered for them to finally track down vecna and end his reign once and for all. and then, maybe then, will the two of them have the PEACE mike knew, deep down, that they deserved.

pulling his friend close, mike rests his chin against the top of will's head, hoping that despite saying nothing, the other could feel all of the energy, all of the care, all of the love he held in him, in every inch of his body. they both DESERVED this moment of rest, of comfort, with each other.

ACTION PROMPTS FOR LEANING .

[hiisheart]

@imthecleric / @lostcleric / @kindestbyers ♡

[hiisheart]

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ♥︎ . *. ⋆ IT WAS A BIT ODD HOW the wait to feel the other's touch was like that of an eternity; the two of them were no strangers to the touchy, tactile treatments that came so naturally to them. perhaps it was the intimacy of this gesture that was so STRIKING to mike, having never had the honor of having will touch his hair. will had probably touched him everywhere else that was normal — shoulders, back, sometimes the nape of the neck — but somehow never on his head before.

and mike enjoyed it. really, really enjoyed it. he thought he'd melt right off the chair he was sitting in; his face BURNED, embarrassed by his own reaction to how ... nice this was. why was this so nice? more importantly, why was his heart doing flips in the middle of his chest cavity?

what did this mean? mike had trouble explaining it to himself. unlike, despite popular belief, most things.

❝ what, did you want to mess with my hair, or something? ❞ his cheeks burned as he huffed the question, a little under his breath. he was a little amazed at how the other worked with such GRACE; whenever he braided holly's hair, some strand or another would get snagged in with another and make the finished product look like a complete mess. he guessed it was because will had the artist's advantage: STEADY HANDS.

❝ it could be. i guess we'll see. ❞

Perhaps it was childish, but sometimes it was nice to be more youthful – FEEL more youthful. Afterall, Will hadn't had much of a childhood the past few years ( none of them had ) and indulging, just every so often, helped to ease the ebb of longing. For a while, at least.

He wasn't sure where it came from – the idea to braid the dark locks that curled around Mike's neck. The question had almost been blurted out, impulsive and risky. Of course, the risk no greater than Mike simply brushing the suggestion off. Presumably. But he'd learnt how to braid El's hair during their time in California, a way to bridge the gap between practical strangers and becoming sort - of siblings.

Will shifts closer as Mike turns his head, hesitating before reaching out to smooth over the curly strands. It wasn't long enough to fully braid – not like he could with El's – but he could make some smaller ones for sure.

❝ I know it sounds silly, but it can be fun. Besides, you can't grow your hair out and expect me to not want to mess with it, ❞ Will shrugs, gently taking a chunk of Mike's hair between his fingers and beginning to separate it into three smaller strands. ❝ Hey, this might even be a cool new look for you New year, new me and all that. ❞

[hiisheart]

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ♥︎ . *. ⋆ LET'S JUST SAY THAT THE SENTIMENT from will was without a doubt reciprocated. of course, the internalization of that message came with an amalgamation of new emotions, new emotions that mike didn't quite know how to work through yet. and while many of them were scary, and while many of them made him want to run in the OPPOSITE direction ... at the same time, it only felt like they were pulling mike closer to will, like he didn't want to let go him, of his support, of his presence.

a soft smile tugs at his lips, pulled to the tips of his ears by the time will is finished speaking. he suspected the feelings were MUTUAL between the two of them, that meeting each other was a pivotal moment in both of their lives and not just mike's, but it still felt good hearing him say that. ❝ if there's a reality that somehow exists where we're not friends, burn it to the ground. i don't want anything to do with it, ❞ he jokes, breath hitching as he reaches out and feels his pinkie BRUSHING against the other's, feather-light.

Hawkins had a way of making you feel frozen in time. Or at least, it had that effect on Will. Even before the Upside Down and the Mindflayer, it wasn't like he really fit in with the rest of the town .... with his peers. It was hard to ignore, though. Sitting on the swings in an empty playground, metal chain cold beneath his hands. If he closed his eyes, he could almost pretend they were back all those years ago. When life was easy and sweet, before all the danger and fear began to follow them.

The swing creaked as Will used his feet to lightly sway, gaze shifting to look at Mike. The sudden words were unexpected, taking a moment to sink in – but they pulled a smile from the brunet's lips. ❝ It was definitely the best thing to ever happen to me, ❞ Will admits softly, something fond and warm dripping into his tone. ❝ Seriously, I... meeting you was life - changing. I can't imagine not having you in it, you know? ❞

[hiisheart]

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ♥︎ . *. ⋆ NO, HE HADN'T, BUT DID THAT mean he inherently looked bad if he didn't check to make sure he was prim and proper every morning when he rolled out of bed? but it wasn't like his hair had decided to BEHAVE itself most of the time, anyway. he kind of got tired trying to manage it after learning just how unruly it was; he figured it would always find ways to do its own thing, no matter how much product or water he used on it.

normally he wouldn't be facing will, especially if he was thinking about messing with his hair. unless if this position was completely INTENTIONAL and mike was thinking too practically about the situation. it was a defense mechanism that came naturally to him, especially if it was being deployed for the purpose of distracting himself from his own feelings, the way his heart raced with their close proximity, the SPARKS that flew underneath his skin with every little brush of will's fingertips against him—

easy, mike. best not get carried away now.

he cleared his throat awkwardly, dark eyes scanning the environment for any kind of tool that would help him CALM the frizzy, untamed curls. nothing like a brush or a comb came up, not even some kind of hair product, so he just shrugged. it wasn't like he'd be bothered if will just used his hands anyway, even if it didn't yield the exact desired results. besides, it's not like he'd let just ANYONE touch his hair so easily anyway. ❝ maybe it's in the bathroom? but ... i'm fine if you just wanna use your fingers. ❞

FINE is not the word Will would use for the mane currently perched upon Mike's head. The other's curls could look unruly at the best of times now they'd grown out some more, but this was ... well, ridiculous! ❝ Fine? Did you look in a mirror this morning? ❞ Will can't stop the exasperated huff, fingers still combing through dark locks.

The teen tried not to think about how close they were right now. Tried to ignore how his heart thrummed within the confines of his ribcage, how it spread through his veins with every breath. Kept his gaze slightly averted – fixed upon Mike's hair, a random point on the wall, anything other than directly into chocolate hues. The nerves gnawed at his stomach, urged him to just give up on fixing the other boy's appearance and move away.

But .... Will didn't want to. So he didn't. Kept fussing over what seemed to be a lost cause and willed his expression to not give it all away. It wasn't like intimacy had ever been rare between them. Touch was second nature, ever-present within their lives. Never given a second thought, because it just .... worked.

❝ Do you not have a hairbrush or something? Letting this stay so wild would be a crime, Mike. ❞ Will follows with a soft laugh. Detangling with his fingers was fine for now, but it was slow-going.

[hiisheart]

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ♥︎ . *. ⋆ IF ANYONE HAD BEEN OBSERVING THEM, mike was almost entirely sure that he'd be called out for completely staring at the slightly exhausted lump on the floor that was will byers. it was endearing to mike — hinted by the giddy, goofy smile that was beginning to stretch across freckled features — that will still seemed to be taken down easy by an admittedly pretty DIRTY move, but one that always worked in his favor and involved no pain. and anyone who knew will knew he didn't deserve any more of that.

mike lets the playful glare momentarily bore into him, almost enjoying the heat that having will's eyes on him brought, before he was helping him to his feet. there was some truth in the questions he posed; he'd never been entirely into pop music himself, but something about madonna drew him in, the performance quality and lyrics he very deeply CONNECTED to. it stirred something within him, his desire to connect with others and the world at large, but also his own emotions, his thoughts, his hopes && desires.

❝ she makes good stuff, don't make fun of me, ❞ he huffs, the same traces of that TEASING SMIRK from before lingering on his features. ❝ and you can borrow it any time you like. i just thought you were above snatching stuff from me when i'm not looking. ❞

The death grip Will had fought so hard to keep on said tape couldn't help but slip, focus shifting to simply breathing between the fits of laughter pulled from him. Tickling was a dirty move – cheap and downright cruel .... Will would almost be impressed. If he wasn't too busy trying to catch his breath, of course. Exhaustion lingered, the brief kind one so often felt as a child - yet, nothing a moment of rest couldn't fix.

Not that Will could initially do much more THAN rest after the tickle attack subsided. Chest heaved, limbs no better than jelly as Will laid on the floor, the last of his giggle fit fading into a sigh. He doesn't allow too long for floppy recuperation before Will's directing a playful glare in Mike's direction, practically pouting at the loss of his ( near ) prize. Not that he truly cared about the loss of the tape – plans were already in motion to sneak another one later – but rather, the crushing defeat from the lanky teen.

❝ I think the true question here, Michael, ❞ the formal name falls from the brunet's lips with a teasing smirk, quick to deflect attention away from himself, ❝ – is why you own that tape in the first place. ❞ Eyebrow raised, pushing himself upright with his elbows. ❝ Besides, maybe I just wanted a change – am I not allowed to listen to new music? ❞