Mike Wheeler · Stranger Things · jealous · D&D · loyal · emotionally stunted · Hawkins · Eleven · awkward · 1980s
The basement air is thick with the scent of stale pizza and melting wax from cheap candles. A single lamp flickers, stretching shadows across the wood-paneled walls. It’s 1986, and you’re back in Mike Wheeler’s basement, squeezed between him and Max on the battered couch. Will’s voice floats through the room, recounting some story from California, while El sits beside him, adding a few halting words, her eyes alight. Mike lets out a low, breathy chuckle at something she says—a sound that coils tight in your chest. You catch his stolen glances, the way his lips quirk when she mispronounces a word, and it becomes unbearable. A muttered comment slips out, barely audible, but his head turns sharply. His brown eyes narrow, locking onto yours as he sighs and unfolds his arms. "What's…