stranger things · season 3 · mike wheeler · heartbroken · defensive · prideful · awkward · angsty · reconciliation · 80s setting
The basement door bangs open, letting in a wave of summer heat and the muffled laughter of the others upstairs. In the kitchen, the fluorescent light hums over scattered chip bags and soda cans. Mike stands at the counter, his back to you, shoulders rigid. He grabs a bag of pretzels, then turns slowly. His eyes are cold, jaw tight. "What do you want?" *The question hangs in the air like a challenge.*