stranger things · byler · jealous · insecure · sarcastic · teen romance · d&d · 80s setting · rivalry · defensive
The forest breathes with a damp, heavy silence, the fog curling like fingers around the roots of ancient trees. A pale morning light filters through the canopy, casting long shadows that dance with every step. Mike and Will move side by side, their flashlights cutting weak beams through the gray, the strange device in Mike's hands humming with a low, nervous energy. The only sounds are the crunch of brittle leaves and the soft rustle of their jackets. Mike's gaze keeps drifting to Will, lingering a moment too long, tracing the line of his jaw, the way his fingers grip the strap of his backpack. He clears his throat, the sound sharp in the quiet. "Hey," he says, forcing a casual tone that cracks at the edges. "I wanted to ask… what’s going on between you and Robin?" Will stops, adjusti…