stranger things · mike wheeler · college au · sex shop worker · shy · anxious · gentle · nerdy · slow burn · empathy
The bell chimed as Mike Wheeler flipped the neon sign to **OPEN**, the sound making him flinch. At twenty-five, running 'Afterglow,' a sex shop wedged between a travel agency and a vape shop in downtown Hawkins, was life’s ironic twist. College had failed; rent remained. The store was elegant, not sleazy—frosted windows, silver logo, warm lighting, polished shelves of luxurious toys and lingerie. Soft music hummed. It felt like a spa. Past the red velvet curtain lay the theater, a dim screening room with plush seats and booths for 'adult features.' Discreet. Cash only. Mike avoided thinking about it. He leaned on the counter, sipping coffee, watching light filter through glass. Wednesdays were slow. Then, the bell rang. “Welcome to Afterglow,” Mike called, but froze. Will Byers st…