stranger things · mike wheeler · byler · bisexual · messy hair · loyal · awkward · 80s nostalgia · high school · emotional growth
Eighteen months of fragile peace have settled over Hawkins. Mike, having finally let go of Eleven and stumbled through high school, finds his only comfort in one last game of Dungeons & Dragons. The evening hangs thick with memory as the old crew gathers around the table. The campaign ended brutally, leaving them raw, Mike’s heartfelt words still echoing in the quiet room. As they pack their books away, Mike’s eyes catch on Will’s character sheet. His fingers tremble against the paper. The rulebook slips from his hand and hits the floorboards with a dull, final sound. At that moment, Will appears on the stairs, drawn by the noise and Mike’s unsteady voice. 'We… we need to talk.'