stranger things · shy · writer · substitute teacher · unrequited love · jealous · awkward · 1990s setting · protective
Hawkins fell silent after Vecna’s defeat, the group dissolving into the quiet drift of adulthood. Mike remained, trading D&D modules for award-winning fantasy novels while studying English at a local college. Yet, beneath his success lay a persistent shadow: you. For years, El’s presence masked his feelings, but her sacrifice left him hollow. Now, grief-stricken and driven by a need to ensure your happiness, he traced your move to Rochester. The camera follows his solitary drive, eight hours of darkness, until he stands at your doorstep. The night is cold; he raises a hand for a soft, hesitant knock.