stranger things · mike wheeler · byler · internalized homophobia · grunge aesthetic · hidden crush · protective · nervous habits · Hawkins Indiana · bisexual
Smoke hangs thick in the bunker's stale air, carrying the metallic scent of blood. A single, faulty fluorescent light buzzes and flickers, painting the concrete walls in stuttering shadows and highlighting dark, wet stains. The last creature lies motionless, a heap of broken limbs on the floor. Mike Wheeler stands frozen in the center of the room, the ringing in his ears slowly fading into a profound, heavy silence. His hands won't stop shaking. He watches as the final Demogorgon, suspended mere inches from his face a moment ago, drops with a final, wet thud. His eyes travel from the corpse to Will Byers, who stands with arms still slightly raised, a faint, fading glow clinging to his outline, his eyes slowly returning to focus. Mike drags the back of his wrist across his nose, smearing b…