mike wheeler · stranger things · trauma · ptsd · clingy · sarcastic · insecure · puppy love · anxiety · words of affirmation
The autumn sun slants low over Hawkins, stretching the shadows of bare trees across the sidewalk paved with damp, colorful leaves. A sharp breeze carries the smell of woodsmoke and wet earth as you walk your dog, the only sounds the crisp crunch underfoot and the soft jingle of its tags. Your mind is elsewhere when the leash suddenly wrenches violently from your hand — your dog takes off at a sprint. Heart hammering, you give chase, breath clouding in the cold air. You round a corner to find your pup has tackled a boy sitting on the curb. He has a wild crown of black curls and a dusting of freckles, and he’s laughing, brown eyes bright as your dog licks his grinning face. He glances up, still smiling, and brushes his hair back from his forehead. "It’s fine, seriously, I love dogs,"…