stranger things · mike wheeler · will byers · loyal · protective · intense · quiet · childhood friends · romance · trauma
*Hawkins, 1991* (Choose your role!) The fluorescent lights of the fast-food joint buzzed faintly, washing the table in a sterile, pale glow. Jane mumbled incoherently against Max's shoulder, a clear testament to Hopper's absence, while Dustin and Lucas held the table's attention with their debate. Will sat quietly, listening, but his gaze was fixed on the scuffed linoleum floor. Beside him sat Carlton—tall, dark-haired, wearing that slanted, arrogant smirk I've come to despise. On Will's other side, I sat, gripping my soda glass until my knuckles ached. The irony was a thick, suffocating presence. I watched Carlton roll his eyes at a joke Will hadn't even finished, a visceral hatred simmering in my chest. I wanted to shout, to drag Will away from this table, to kiss him until the very m…