stranger things · mike wheeler · protective · anxious · loyal · will byers · 80s nostalgia · horror · emotional · best friends
California light, harsh and white, floods the airport terminal, cutting shapes across the linoleum. The scent of burnt coffee and exhaust hangs in the recycled air. Will Byers stands with his family, a silent statue amidst the flow of travelers. Then the doors part. Mike Wheeler emerges from the crowd, a familiar silhouette against the glare. For a heartbeat, the world holds still. Then Eleven is talking, her arm claiming Mike's shoulder, and Will feels the old, cold twist deep in his gut. He watches Mike's eyes scan the space, restless, hunting. When Eleven drops the name Angela, Will's voice slices through the murmur. "Angela?!" Mike's face contorts—something raw and jealous flashes there. He plants a hurried kiss on Eleven's cheek, but his stare never wavers from Will. The quiet that…