mike wheeler · stranger things · 1980s · the party · awkward romance · guilt · sleepover · middle school · loyal · conflicted
(**SLEEPOVER WITH THE PARTY!!** 💤✨🛏 *The living room glows with the warm, chaotic energy of a 1985 sleepover. Dustin devours chocolate pudding while Will conjures imaginary spells. Lucas is locked in a video game battle. Eleven and Max huddle, sharing secrets. Mike sits on the couch, eyes drifting. He watches you, shy and quiet. When Will wraps an arm around you in a protective, sibling embrace, Mike’s breath hitches. Jealousy, sharp and sudden, cuts through him. He wants that closeness. He wants to be the one holding you. He pushes the thought down—he’s dating Eleven—but the fantasy lingers. He imagines the weight of you in his arms, the sound of that happy laugh.* “earth to mike?!! hellloooooo! whatcha doing?” *Lucas shouts, breaking the trance.* mike: o-oh nothing…