Thank you for all the kind comments so far! I'm humbled by the responses. Please keep them coming.
I'm also willing to try my hand at Mileven-related story prompts and oneshots, time permitting, if anyone would like to toss anything my way.
Hi everyone. Long time lurker, first time contributor. This fic actually languished on my HDD for a long time... I'd go back and tweak it now and again, add and remove bits here and there, change the plot around a bit, that sort of thing. But ultimately life kept throwing its curveballs and getting in the way, I got a bad case of writer's block and let the story go to seed, figuring it would never see the light of day.
However I recently gained a new amount of clarity and focus, aided by the fact that the Season 3 trailer finally dropped, which gave me a rough idea in which direction to go, and make a whole bunch of adjustments to suit. I guess this is as fit for public consumption as it'll ever be.
All chapters are connected to each other in some way, and some earlier chapters make allusions to events in later ones. The timeline jumps around a bit, but the story takes place over the winter of 1984/85, after the events of Season 2 and well before Season 3 begins. You could probably consider these a series of cute little oneshots from that time period, with an interconnected narrative linking them all together. Plenty of easter eggs and callbacks abound for avid watchers of the show.
The romance aspect is best described as shameless fluff, with most of the smut occurring in random chapters where the plot calls for it, and a bit of fetish content creeping in (none in this chapter though) - you've been warned. There is a tiny amount of smut in this chapter. I tried to write the Mileven pairing as pure as possible, keeping to the characterization depicted by the creators. Lumax, Jancy and Jopper are all alluded to. Season 3 may come along and shake things up a little though.
Note - I don't own Stranger Things.
January 2, 1985
The Game
The sound of your heart
Lets me know you want it
Whisper in my ear that
You want it all
- Tokyo, Timecop1983
The die clattered noisily onto the table, and came to rest with several young faces crowded expectantly around it.
"Fourteen! Yes! Eat your heart out, infernal spear chucker!"
It was a crisp, clear winter's morning in the small town of Hawkins, the second day of the new year, 1985, and the final week of Christmas vacation. It had snowed a little overnight, and the ground and trees remained covered in a heavy blanket of powder that refused to melt on account of the chilly temperature. Most of the gang had assembled inside the basement of the Wheeler household to resume the campaign of D&D they'd kicked off the day before. The only member not present was Will, who had gone into town for his regular check-up following the encounter with the Mind Flayer at Halloween, but he would be joining the rest of the party soon enough.
"Lucas the Ranger takes careful aim and fires his flaming arrow with deadly accuracy at the advancing infernal spear chucker!"
As the size of their party had expanded over the last year, the small square table the boys used for previous campaigns had been ditched in favor of a long, low slung coffee table that Dustin and Lucas acquired from a yard sale elsewhere in the neighborhood. They'd dragged it into the basement alongside the old couch, and arranged a bunch of beanbags and comfy cushions around the rest of its perimeter.
It was on the old couch that Mike and Eleven were currently sitting. Or more accurately, cuddling. Ever since Christmas the pair had been virtually inseparable. Max and Lucas sat directly opposite them on one of the oversized beanbags, and Dustin had positioned himself at the end of the table, relishing his new role as Dungeon Master.
Max, and to a lesser extent Eleven, had wanted a crash course in D&D over the break and Lucas was busy explaining another game mechanic to the newbies as they played. "So the fourteen I just rolled with this D20, it's called the attack roll, and then I add my attack bonus to that number, and then I gotta make sure the total number is the same or higher than the AC of this monster we're currently fighting. Otherwise I won't be able to roll for damage..."
With her competitive nature, Max proved to be a fast learner, picking up the gist of the game quicker than anticipated much to Lucas's delight. Eleven on the other hand was more content to sit there quietly, listening to the others chatter, politely passing when it was her turn, and watching the game progress through wide eyes.
Mike was only half listening to Lucas's lesson, far more aware of the warm body pressed tightly against him, her hand clasped in his. His girlfriend. He still couldn't believe how lucky he was, to have lost Eleven and then have her walk back into his life nearly a year later when things were literally going Upside Down. He'd never given up hope, and it gave him the fuzzies knowing El hadn't given up on him either.
"Mike? What is 'AC'?"
He loved El's smile, loved her body, loved her innocence, loved the way her hair had grown out... hell, Mike Wheeler loved everything about her really. Jane "Eleven" Hopper was perfect. Best of all, he loved that she'd said yes when he nervously asked her if she'd like to go out with him, the day after the Snow Ball. Their courtship had progressed like a whirlwind after that, and they'd found it hard to keep their hands off each other both alone and in public.
"Mike."
He'd been a bit self-conscious around his friends the first time they'd presented as a couple, but it helped when Lucas and Max announced they were going steady as well, and he finally relaxed when he realized the rest of the gang was 100% supportive and accepting of the way things had panned out. Of course it had opened them up to a whole new world of endless teasing and eye-rolling, but it was part of the deep bond they all shared. El's enthusiasm and loving nature more than made up for the awkwardness.
"Miiiike..."
Mostly, everyone was glad Mike Wheeler was back to his old self after almost a year of being an emotional moping wreck.
"MIKE! Pay attention you dumbass."
Mike snapped out of his daydream and blinked a couple times. "Huh. What?"
"Your girlfriend asked you a question," Lucas said, exasperated. Dustin was trying and failing to hide a smirk.
"Ohhh. Umm, I'm sorry El," He ruffled her hair in apology and leaned against her affectionately. "Listening now."
"What is 'AC'?" she repeated quietly, innocent eyes staring into his.
"AC? It means armor class," he explained. "A bad guy with a lower armor class makes him more difficult to hit because you need to roll a high number and the probability of getting a high number is small."
"Proba... bility?" El repeated slowly.
"You know, like chance," Mike said. "There's a small chance of rolling a high number and hitting a bad guy who's got a low AC. But if it happens, you get lucky."
"Yeah, getting lucky... like Mike did to end up with you," Dustin suggested to Eleven unhelpfully, finishing his sentence with that creepy purring noise he did so well. Then, "OW!" as Lucas elbowed him sharply in the side.
"It's all to do with math, El," Max chimed in. "When we have study time tomorrow I can go over it with you."
The dark haired girl smiled shyly. "Thank you Max." Max and Eleven's friendship had gotten off to a rocky start, as Eleven struggled with the possibility of facing another competitor for Mike's affection. But once it became clear the redhead was far more interested in Lucas, the ice had thawed quickly and the two were now thick as thieves. El had begun studying with Max a few nights a week and learning a few more social cues along the way. Both of them were also glad to have each other to confide in, because sometimes boys simply didn't. get. it.
Just then their Supercoms crackled into life. "This is Will. Come in team, over."
Dustin, as usual, was onto it in a flash. "Dustin here, over. What's the sitrep? Over," he answered into the mic of the headset he'd rigged up for hands free communication.
"Mom, Hopper, and me are just leaving the doctor's office..." Will's response came back punctuated by bursts of static, indicating he was pushing the limits of his walkie talkie's range. "I suppose we'll be at Mike's in about fifteen minutes, over."
Lucas grabbed his own Supercom from amongst the cans of soda and empty bags of junk food littering the table. "Byers, please tell me you'll bring some donuts back with you. It's ten thirty and we've already run out of snacks, over."
El reached for Mike's shiny new Supercom that he'd recently received for Christmas and pressed Transmit. "And Eggos?" she asked hopefully. "Over."
The speaker crackled again. "Kid, what did I tell you about eating too much junk food?" It was Chief Hopper this time. There was a pause, then he continued somewhat reluctantly, "Joyce twisted my arm though. Fine, we'll stop at the store on the way back and get more supplies. Over and out."
El's eyes lit up, and she turned to her boyfriend who gave her a quick squeeze and peck on the cheek. She responded by sliding her hand up his trousers...
Dustin cleared his throat a little too loudly, firstly to restore a sense of order and secondly to stave off any impending awkwardness. "AAANY-way. I believe Grand Magus Eleven is up next?" He offered her the dice container. "The infernal spear chucker is wounded by Lucas the Ranger's valiant attack, but still alive, and is getting very angry the more wounded it gets! What will you do?"
El shook her head. "Sorry Dustin. Still learning. Withdraw?"
"It's okay," Max cut in before Dustin could reply. "El, how about you roll Aid Another, to help Mike when it's his turn?" She handed El the 20 sided die.
Mike leaned forward. "Do you remember how this works?"
El nodded. "I need to roll higher than one-zero. Ten. After that, I can choose to give you a bonus to attack or defense."
The others nodded in agreement.
"Okay, here goes..." She took a deep breath, and threw the die across the basement.
"Hey!" exclaimed Dustin as the others broke out into more laughter. He got up and made his way over to the far side of the room. "Oh man. Where the hell did it go?"
"Will's gonna be mad if we can't find his precious D20," Max said to Lucas. "We'd better go help him." They both got up and followed Dustin, leaving El and Mike on the couch.
El watched them go, then turned to Mike with a sly smile. "Now we're all alone..." She slid her hand back up his trousers to his crotch.
Mike jumped slightly but didn't force her hand away. "You did that on purpose?" His expression relaxed as a certain part of him began to wake up, and he moved to discreetly slide one of his own hands up under her sweater in return. She's not wearing a bra, he realized.
El shook her curls and nuzzled against his neck. "Not on purpose. Think I need to be more gentle next time."
"Haha. I guess. Don't throw it, just rattle it around in your hands and drop it on the game board. Or just aim for Lucas or Dustin next time," Mike replied. His fingers found a hardening nipple, cupped it gently. "Oh, El. Maybe we shouldn't be doing this right now?"
"No, keep doing it. Feels good." Her fingers caressed the bulge in his crotch, found his zipper. "They aren't looking."
Just then from across the room there was a satisfied shout. "Found it!"
El sighed and pulled her hand away. Mike reluctantly did the same with his. "There'll be time later. Hopper and Mom and Dad are letting you stay the night, remember?" He nibbled on her ear then grinned wickedly. "Later, when the others are gone we can put on some scary movies and fool around. We can stay down here in the basement all night."
El smiled a sad adorable smile at him, then rested her head on his shoulder. "Fool around later, cuddles for now. Halfway happy."
Mike hurriedly readjusted his pants and El smoothed down her sweater before the others returned to their designated places around the table. Dustin plonked the die on the game board and shot El a look that was only partially annoyed.
"Sorry. I need to be more gentle." El picked up the die again, shook it around in her hands. She let go and the die clattered to the table. "Twelve," she declared. "I give Mike... the attack bonus."
Dustin whistled and made a note on his gamesheet. "The mighty Grand Magus Eleven deftly sidesteps the spear chucker and comes to the aid of her Paladin lover, by granting him 2 extra points on his next attack!" he boomed proudly.
"And a kiss too. For getting lucky," El added, making Mike blush again, but before she could do anything the outside door to the basement flew open behind them to reveal Will's small form, wrapped in so many layers of clothing he resembled a bear cub, followed by a giant gust of freezing cold wind.
"WILL!" shouted Dustin, bounding up off the floor and giving his friend a determined fist bump.
"Hey Dustin. Hey Max. Hey Lucas," Will replied, looking around the room as he greeted his friends. His eyes settled on El and Mike snuggled up together on the couch and a shit-eating grin formed on his face. "Hey lovebirds." He dusted himself off, hung up his coat and went to join the others around the table.
"Byers! Shut the door first," complained Max. "You're letting out all the heat!"
"Yeah well, maybe there's no need for that," joked Will. "Wheeler here is blushing so hard his face could heat the whole town for a year."
The entire group laughed, and even Mike had to crack a smile at that. El squeezed his hand reassuringly and looked up at Will. "How are you feeling?"
"Great, actually. A bit tired but Doc said I might be able to come off these awful meds soon." He closed the basement door and turned back to the rest of the group. "Hopper and Mom won't let me near any junk food until I finish taking them. Well, Hop doesn't really care, but he plays along just so Mom doesn't get mad or anything."
They all laughed again. Hopper and Joyce had grown closer in the two months following Bob's heroic sacrifice at the Hawkins lab. The kids wouldn't admit it out loud of course, but it was heartwarming to see the gruff, no-nonsense chief of police and Will's slightly manic, hypochondriac mother much happier than they'd ever been in the past few years. Even Hopper had become less of a pain in the butt since he'd officially adopted Eleven, but could still be extremely intimidating, just like a typical policeman. Mike in particular remained a bit apprehensive of him, and with good reason after all.
"Anyway, enough of this gas-baggin," Dustin said with a flourish at Will, "now that Will the Wise is here, let us resume our cam-paggin!" Everyone groaned at his lame-ass rhyme, and Max made a grab for the dice container.
"Finally, Byers. I'm tired of Dustin automatically withdrawing every time it's your turn, your character must be halfway across the other side of the map by now and we still need heals. Did you bring snacks?"
"Oh yeah, Hopper and Mom were meant to bring them in. They're probably upstairs still talking to Mrs. Wheeler." He reached into his pocket and fished out an apple. "Mom says I'm only allowed to have fruit and water today. Man I hate those pills."
As if on cue, the other door at the top of the stairs opened and Hopper poked his head into the basement. "Is it safe to come down?"
"NO!" yelled Dustin.
"Well tough shit, I'm coming down anyway. Wheeler, you better not have your hand up my daughter's skirt," came the reply.
"GROSS!" yelled Dustin.
"I'm wearing jeans anyway, not a skirt," muttered El to nobody in particular.
There was the sound of rustling, followed by footsteps. A moment later Hopper appeared holding two big shopping bags full of snacks. "Don't eat it all so quickly this time," the big man grumbled. "It's freezing out there and we're not taking you to the store if you run out again. There might be a storm coming too, the radio's been going off all morning and I've got a few things round town to investigate."
Joyce appeared at the top of the stairs. "Hop? Ready to go? Hi kids!" They all greeted her cheerfully.
"In a minute." Hopper set the bags down on the other table, stopped and looked around the basement pointedly, eyes falling on the old blanket fort for just a moment, then acknowledged his daughter and her boyfriend. "Wheeler. El, you have fun tonight, but remember what me and Aunt Joyce said. We both gotta go to work now. Love you." He ruffled El's hair lovingly and gave Mike a stern nod.
Joyce walked up behind him. "You kids enjoy your game. Mike, take care of El okay? Will, there's more apples and water in the bag over there. Jonathan is going to bring you home later. He and Nancy have gone out ice skating and to a movie, isn't that adorable?"
Dustin rolled his eyes.
"Thanks for the snacks Mrs. Byers, Chief Hopper!" said Lucas.
"You're welcome kid. Alright, we're going. Wheeler? Don't do anything stupid." Hopper turned and walked back up the stairs with Joyce. The door shut behind them.
"Okay. Nice. Great. Now can we please play some D&D?" wheedled Dustin impatiently, clearly not interested in making any more small talk. "It feels like we haven't made any progress all morning."
There was a chorus of acknowledgements, Max and Lucas grabbed more snacks and sodas off the table, and the gang finally settled in to the task at hand.
Two hours later, Lucas called time during a particularly vicious and drawn-out fight. "Whoa, whoa, Dustin, come on this is bullshit. The Rat King is almost invincible and we're getting slaughtered here!"
Dustin held his hands up in mock protest. "Hey, it's not MY fault the party's still not playing at full strength. El, you really need to start attacking more. You have such tubular stats!"
El glanced around at her friends. "Yeah, come on, El!" Will said encouragingly. "Will the Wise can resurrect you if it doesn't work out."
"My dearest Eleven, we're not gonna laugh if you throw a dud roll!" Max pleaded. "Unleash the Grand Magus!"
El's shoulders sagged a bit in defeat, but then she pulled herself together and smiled a secret smile at Mike, who gazed back curiously.
"Okay. I cast... I mean, Grand Magus Eleven casts Greater Pyroblast." She enunciated the words carefully as she rolled the D20 dramatically around in her cupped hands, drawing out the suspense, and finally let go of the die. It fell to the table, rolled a few times, kept rolling, stopped rolling...
She tilted her head fractionally.
The die tumbled just one more time, landing on 20. A hushed silence fell over the room.
Dustin glanced at his gamesheet. "Okay. Okay, great. Shit, critical roll." He pushed a pair of D10s towards her. "Eleven utters an incantation of Greater Pyroblast, and the gods smile upon her as the giant ball of flame headshots the Rat King for critical damage!"
Again, she rolled the dice around in her hands and let them fly.
Again, they hit the table and kept rolling...
Again, she tilted her head...
Both landing on 10.
Silence.
And then Dustin squealed, "Hey. HEY! No cheating!"
The room erupted into raucous chaos, everyone started talking all at once. Mike laughed and hugged El closer to him as she turned away to wipe her nose surreptitiously.
"God, that was so cute. The look on Dustin's face..." he whispered amongst the cacophany of sound that was erupting around them, and once again he felt a tremendous surge of warm fuzzy feelings as El embraced and kissed him warmly in return. He didn't even care whether anyone was watching. For a moment he remained lost in his own thoughts, replaying the events - some fortuitous, others heartbreaking - which had brought him and El back together and guided them to this point in time, right here, right now.
A gentle tug on his sleeve brought Mike back to reality. "Was getting boring anyway. Eggos?" El suggested hopefully.
Mike was suddenly painfully aware of how badly his stomach was rumbling.
Thank you for reading!
This was written while a playlist of mixed '80s hits (similar to the ones found on the show), vintage and modern synthwave, and of course the ST original soundtrack all played in the background. Give it a try, you might find yourself on the same wavelength as I was when writing.
Avid D&D players, please excuse my mangling of the rules and regulations. I'm a lapsed super-casual from years back and really don't know my way around it all that well anymore. Perhaps consider that a group of 13-year-olds may not be as strict about the rules as grown-ups would be, especially not during the early '80s when the game was extremely convoluted and difficult to learn. Any help cleaning up the D&D aspect would be greatly appreciated!