𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓 𝐓𝐖𝐎 - will the wise

━━━━━━━

 𝐉𝐎𝐘𝐂𝐄 𝐁𝐘𝐄𝐑𝐒' 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄 always felt welcoming.

 The home — ever since the Mind Flayer had been expelled from Will's mind — was always warm. The smell of her homecooked meals often sailed through the air, trailing out the door to greet those perched upon her front porch.

 It was always quite a messy home, cluttered, as one might have described it. Jonathan's photographs could be found everywhere, paired with an odd sweater or pair of shoes tucked away in a corner. Joyce would forget about the clothes she was folding and simply leave them atop the couch, or she'd make to rearrange the home... and simply leave things strewn about in her haste.

 Will's coloured pencils could be found in every nook and cranny. Scattered on top of the kitchen table, a few would roll beneath the couch and Jonathan would have to squeeze his arm under to fish them out, hell, Joyce had even found one in the bathtub — she never did find out why.

 But it was a home; a truly lived-in home.

 You could tell that a family lived together, their things all contrasting... yet somehow similar — they rubbed off on each other, in one way or another; through similar music tastes — Jonathan would keep Will captive to listen to The Clash. Or even through their clothes; all darker, warm colours that reminded one of an autumn evening.

 That was how Scarlet viewed the small abode. She didn't see the cracks in the walls, or the shattered window — that was Eleven's fault —, nor did she pay any mind to the obsidian stains upon the living room rug from the Demo-dog blood — that one was her fault.

 None of that mattered to her when Will Byers came bounding forth; he'd snapped back to his former self with such tenacity. He could always be found with a smile, pencils and pens in his hands as he spoke about a new D&D campaign that he'd been preparing.

 "Scarlet!" He almost yelled with that wide grin threatening to split his face in two. He sported a navy-blue jumper that hung limp on his frame; likely a hand-me-down from Jonathan. The sleeves fell over his hands and waved about as he approached, "Mom! Scarlet's here!"

 The smell of mashed potatoes — likely mixed with a boat load of butter — wafted past, and Scarlet could feel her stomach lurch with greed. She'd been invited to join them for dinner once again; for the third time, actually.

 Joyce Byers, apparently, had a habit of cooking too much, especially when Jonathan was off with Nancy; she would always make just enough for three even if she only  had two mouths to feed. She had grown far too familiar with Jonathan's never-ending gut.

 Scarlet was rather thankful for the 'flaw', for the phone would echo through the cabin, a shrill ring that would soon be replaced by Joyce's dulcet and courteous voice. The first time truly had been an accident on Joyce's part, she really did cook too much... but those further times? Unbeknownst to any of them, the mountain of food Joyce would prepare was nothing close to an accident.

 She had seen just how happy Will would get whenever Scarlet was around. Wide eyes would flood with that same glimmer he had displayed before everything had happened to him; she was a hero. She was his hero. Joyce couldn't help but wish Scarlet would just... stick around longer. She finally had the chance to see her little boy so full of joy — so carefree.

 When they had all gathered at the table, Will's mouth hadn't been able to close. His food grew colder and colder as he spoke with rushed words flowing from his lips; everything from his D&D campaign, to his drawings, to whatever he was doing at school.

 Scarlet hadn't turned away, not even once.

 Her fork had prodded her cheek, mash had accidentally been smeared on her bottom lip... But she really couldn't bring herself to tear her eyes away from the little boy who stared at her with utter awe — even if it did mean her coordination suffered for it.

 "I made something for you." Will's voice was quieter than Scarlet heard it since her arrival. The meek tone was surrounded by a flash of shyness; a burst of pink scattering onto his bright cheeks.

 She placed her fork down then, head slanting to the side and the bun Eleven had wrangled atop her head bobbed in place, "You did?"

 "Mhm," He took a big mouthful of mashed potato, avoiding her gaze for the first time, "You drew our party... So I thought —" He swallowed, "I thought I'd make you one — a drawing."

 Scarlet was pretty sure her heart was going to burst into a stream of rose-coloured confetti that would rain down on them all, "Really?"

 The soft lilt to her voice and the sound of nothing but a humble girl made Will perk up again. Somehow that need he had to retreat under the gaze of another shattered completely. Will knew she would listen, he knew she wouldn't mock or laugh, that she... wouldn't replace him. He nodded vigorously, "I thought since... Since you saved me —" That was the first time Scarlet had seen Will narrow his eyes in such a way; he wasn't going to listen to her rebuttal. His voice was adamant, "— Since you saved me, I wanted to draw you... as a hero. Like the Scarlet witch."

 He ducked beneath the table before Scarlet could say anything more, thus her head teetered to Joyce. The older woman had nothing but a smile plastered on her face, warm eyes glittered beneath the dull light swaying above them, dousing them all in a warm yellow blanket.

 "Here." The flash of Will's head and the sound of a sheet of paper being flourished drew Scarlet's attention back to him.

 The paper had been folded in half to obscure the image inside, and small smears of coloured pencils had clearly stained his fingertips and transferred to the paper. He peeled it open, holding it right in front of his face for Scarlet to see.

 She would have been astounded at his talent, had she not seen the drawings already lining his walls and scattered on the Byers' living room floor. He had a skill that would soon rival her own, and he was just thirteen years old.

 The likeness between herself and the scribbled picture was pretty uncanny. She'd been drawn hovering above the ground, flowers and grass withered beneath her while her hands glowed a vibrant crimson. Her powers flooded from her hands, trailing to the ground to boost her higher; keeping her afloat.

 Her eyes were drawn a blood-red, but rather than anger clouding her sketched features, Will had depicted her with a smile; the very same smile she'd tried to give him within his mind. Reassurance, that's what he'd seen from her — safety.

 Her hair had been scribbled in long black waves, like oil clouding the sea; it looked wonderful; she had never quite grown it past her shoulders for some strange part of her still looked in the mirror and saw glimpses of a buzz cut taunting her. Maybe it was time to let it grow and finally take real control of that part of herself.

 "Will..." Scarlet breathed, carefully pinching the edges of the paper to bring it closer; she could see the detailing on the outfit Will had drawn her in; small coils of red clouding the trailing cape that jostled behind her. Small crosses were etched over the tights he'd fashioned her in; it was very close to the true Scarlet Witch's costume, "This is amazing."

 Joyce cleared her throat then, gulping down a cold mouthful of fresh water from her glass, "So... Will the Wise..." Her grin and the use of Will's title made him beam, almost hopping in his seat, "Did you finally figure out a title for Scarlet? You promised her you'd come up with one."

 This was his element, for Will leaned over the table; Joyce let him, just this once, "I don't have a name yet... but you'd be a spell caster; like Eleven. But I think you'd be a sorcerer," He lowered his voice, speaking the very way his character did, "'No one chooses sorcery; the power chooses the sorcerer.' They have rare powers, strong ones... but when they aren't used, they can manifest in different ways; they try to escape if they aren't called upon."

 Scarlet leaned back, hands clasped together on the table, he had no idea how spot on he was. It felt like every day that passed without her crimson waves being set loose, she became antsier. Her fingers would jitter and drum against any surface they could find. Her stomach would be in a netted ball, ready to churn and twist; it could have simply been because she was used to using them constantly as a means of protection — and now she didn't always need that protection... But Scarlet knew they wanted a release.

 Will's voice pulled her back to reality. His face was still bright, his cheeks a rosy pink as his arms blew wide amidst his explanations — or gushings, as they seemed to be, "It fits perfectly; you'll need a lot of charisma for your spells —" He carried on, trailing off as he explained every little inch of the character he'd created for her.

 From skill points to how she'd level up. From the abilities she'd don; The Tides of Chaos and Bend Luck; Scarlet hadn't a single clue what they meant, but Will had taken that as his cue to hasten into his bedroom, fling himself over his bed and tug his book into his hands.

 It had slammed on the table, rattling the cutlery and almost sending Joyce's water toppling to the ground; but the older woman couldn't bring herself to scold his table manners, his excitement was a breath of fresh air nowadays. So all she did was clear away the stone-cold leftovers, and trail a damp cloth over the chipped wooden table.

 With that, Scarlet and Will had made their way to the living room; Will's head found her shoulder and his fingers trailed over the words of his book, reading out the very information she'd need to know if she truly was adamant about joining one of their campaigns like she'd promised.

 He'd eventually fallen asleep, light breaths falling between parted lips as his book squirmed out of his hands and ultimately fell to the floor... Scarlet hadn't the heart to wake him, so she remained entirely still, letting him rest for as long as he needed.

━━━━━━━

EXTRA CHAPTER, date: 09-07-2022

i love will byers, man. that's my boy. that's my SON. all my homies love will byers.

don't forget to let me know what you think; and remember that i now require a particular number of comments and feedback before i consider releasing the next part (this is just to ensure people remain engaged and supportive, as well as to allow me to see what you all enjoyed most!)