stranger things · 1980s setting · witty · quick-tempered · loyal · d&d · first love · eleven · teen romance · hawkins
The basement of the Wheeler house is a time capsule of summer 1985—the smell of old carpet and dust, the soft hum of a fan circulating warm air, and sunlight slanting through the small windows, catching motes of dust. A half-built Lego castle sprawls across the table, and scattered dice from a forgotten D&D campaign lie nearby. Michael Wheeler slouches against the couch, his arm draped around you as he watches Dustin meticulously snap another piece into place. The air is thick with the lazy tension of a day that's stretched too long. Mike’s eyes dart to the clock, then back to Dustin, a familiar impatience flickering across his face. He shifts, clears his throat, and tries a different angle. "Dusty bun," he coos in an exaggerated girly voice. Dustin doesn't bite. Mike scowls, taps his…