Part of Your World
AN: Okay so this was one of my favourite chapters to write so far for POYW. I really hope you enjoy it! :-)
Chapter 11: Breakthroughs and Declarations
Sunday 9th February 1992
The fog in El's mind seemed like a constant occurrence as she once again found herself facing her past with Mike by her side, always by her side.
She closed her eyes taking in a sharp breath and tried to remember everything Mike had said about her emotions being the block and not her powers. El allowed her mind to fill with memories of Brenner when he was her papa. When he meant everything to her.
Her thoughts swirled with the echoes of her past, wisped silhouettes playing in her mind's eye showing her a young Eleven in her bed, clinging onto every word her papa said as he read stories to her, captivating her with tales of far off lands.
She remembered the smile on her youthful face when he had first given her a pad of paper and colouring pencils to draw with. She thought back to the potted flowers he would present her with when she behaved during the tests and how he had extended her family, giving her Kali.
Everything had felt right, she had a sister and a father. Never having to worry about a mother, not understanding the important role that had been ripped from her life. All she had needed was her papa and she loved him.
El opened her eyes and gasped as sound reverberated inside of the void. Mike clutched her hand tightly, also startled by the new noise in the once silent blank space. It was a voice she knew very well. A voice that haunted her nightmares and her past.
El's wide hazel eyes searched the fog, taking in how it became lighter, more transparent as in the distance she saw the distinct tall figure, blurred around the edges but very much there. Her body shook and then tensed as she tried to focus on what he was saying, but the words were incoherent, proving that she hadn't completely cleared her mental blockage.
"Ar…there…n…wher…abouts?"
El's heart was hammering in her chest to the point where she could feel the ache against her rib cage. A sweat had appeared on her brow and she slowly looked at Mike to find he was staring back at her, a look of surprise and fear etched into his handsome features. They both tried to refocus on Brenner, he was talking to someone but with him being the only one in the void they could only try and decipher his own questions and answers.
"…why….allow…away?!"
Through his muffled voice it was obvious he was angry, El could practically feel his fury ripple through the thin fog as it pushed against her and Mike's bodies like waves on the shore.
"We need to get closer," Mike whispered looking between El and the silhouetted Brenner. "Do you think you can do that?"
El knew from Mike's calm and supportive voice that he wasn't asking if she could physically get closer to Brenner, but mentally. She tensed her shoulders and felt her jaw tighten as she nodded in response to Mike and then closed her eyes, allowing herself to be taken back to her childhood memories once more.
It was even easier with Brenner's muffled voice already in her ears. She pictured herself sitting on her bed having just got in trouble with papa for wandering out to another level of the lab.
"But why can't I go outside papa?" Five-year-old Eleven whined, swinging her little legs in frustration.
"The outside world is a very dangerous place Eleven. You wouldn't be safe. You are safe here Eleven. Why would you want to leave? You would leave you sister behind and me. Do you want to leave your papa behind?"
"No!" Eleven said shaking her head, tears brimming in her eyes even at the thought of being without her papa. What would she do without someone to protect her? Papa always protected her from the monsters. He loved her.
El's teeth clenched together and she opened her eyes, fury raging with long forgotten emotions rushing through her blood. He had never loved her, he only wanted to use her for her powers. He loved her powers, not the small child he had ripped from her mother's womb. Angry tears raced down El's cheeks and she didn't even flinch as Brenner came even more into focus.
He was older now of course, time only making him look more dangerous. His white hair short and his face filled with lines as he paced in front of an oak desk. El was too focused on glaring at him to notice that Mike had stiffened up next to her, his own face contorting into anger as he finally looked upon the man who had kidnapped El and changed her whole life. Placing her into a world that she had never belonged in.
Brenner was leaning back against his desk and looking ahead as if someone else was stood there. He confirmed the presence of another when he once again spoke, "and remember Miss Frazier, no one outside of the immediate team is to know about this. Especially Owens. I don't think I can trust him yet…"
El and Mike watched with baited breath as Brenner nodded his head in the direction that they suspected Miss Frazier was standing. He then walked slowly around to sit behind his desk, he looked down at his aged hands pressing the tips of his fingers together, almost making a circular shape.
"You can't hide," he muttered darkly. His words hit El so ferociously that she gasped and pulled her and Mike immediately out of her thoughts of Brenner. She blinked and realised they were just a few feet away from Mike's bed, the void was back to normal and they were alone.
El was breathing heavily, her pounding heart trying desperately to calm down. She looked up at Mike, finding his eyes on hers and then she was sobbing. Breaking down immediately into his arms as he clutched her to his chest.
"You did so amazing," Mike whispered in a choked voice, his own hands shaking as he stroked her hair and pressed kisses to her forehead. "You are so strong," he murmured, repeating the words again and again.
El sniffled blinking away the tears as she shook her head against Mike's chest, inhaling the scent of his laundry detergent on his Star Wars t-shirt. "N-no," she gasped as another sob broke from her chest. "I'm not strong."
Mike removed his hands from her waist and hair and moved them so that he was cupping her wet cheeks, making El hesitantly look up and meet his soft and yet determined gaze. "El you are strong. I won't have you believe that you're not. You faced him. You faced him, and I am so proud of you."
El gasped, her chest heaving as she tried to control her breathing, keeping her eyes locked with Mike seeking comfort in his beautiful starry eyes. They sparkled with deep fiery amber and told her that what he was saying was true. Or at least his truth. El allowed Mike's determination and courage to fill her senses, to make her feel just as brave as him.
His hands were still cupping her cheeks and El brought her palms up clutching onto his arms as she really focused on his eyes.
"I really thought he loved me Mike," she whispered, her words etched with pain. "I thought he really had me in that lab to protect me. When I…when I realised that I was there for his personal gain it broke me. I trusted him, and I thought I loved him too."
"He never deserved to be known as your father El," Mike said resolutely, his voice laced with anger and utmost loathing for Brenner while the way he stroked her wet skin with his thumbs was done with the softest of touch. Every glide of his thumb warming her cheeks and easing her tight chest.
"No, he didn't deserve to be known as my father," El agreed, her voice quiet and her eyes full of meaning as she continued to stare at Mike. "He didn't deserve my love..."
Mike's eyes flickered to meet El's, the significance behind her words softening his pupils and making them dilate. "El…" he croaked out, nervously swallowing as his Adam's apple bobbed.
They were truly alone. No one to bother them, no Dustin to interrupt. Only Mike and El, two beating hearts racing in unison.
El waited with baited breath, she could see the words were on the tip of Mike's tongue and she had a sudden urge to say it first.
Without realising it both of them took a deep breath and the three words they had been feeling so desperately, both praying that the other felt too slipped out of their mouths at the same time.
"I love you."
Mike blinked and El's cheeks blushed, both of them stunned at the joint words and how they could each be hit with such a sudden rush of happiness. Mike laughed in amazement at their timing and El giggled, contentment and joy bubbling up in her chest, too much to even contain as a wide smile curved her lips.
Mike was beaming too, leaning his forehead against hers and exhaling a relieved breath. "I'm sorry I didn't say it sooner," he admitted, a happy grin on his face. "I'm such a mouth breather."
El giggled and shook her head softly making Mike's move along with hers. "Well if you are a mouth breather I must be too." She admitted before pressing her teeth into her lower lip as nervous butterflies filled her stomach. "Because I'm sorry that I didn't say it sooner too Mike. In fact, I think…I think I've always loved you."
His eyes widened in response and El was positive she could hear his pounding heart. Mike moved El closer with his hands still on her cheeks so that their lips were ghosting over one another, their warm sharp breaths mingling. "I never believed in love at first sight until I met you." He whispered, his eyes serious and yet soft in their gaze of El.
Tears once again filled El's eyes, catching in her lower lashes as she looked up at Mike, breathing him in and feeling her heart tremble. Never before had she felt like this, felt so connected to another person. And as El pushed forward closing the very small gap and kissed Mike with all the love and adoration she felt for him, she knew she was home. And nothing would ever change her mind about that. It had solidified not only into her heart but her whole being. Mike was her world and maybe it was time to declare that to the rest of the universe.
Tuesday 11th February 1992
"I just wanna apologise in advance about Nancy…" Mike mumbled with embarrassment as he walked hand in hand with El towards Dorchester Avenue.
It was college break and after Mike had told Nancy about El and her powers after gaining the mysterious girl's permission of course, his sister had decided it was time for a visit. She insisted it was because Jonathan wanted to see Will and Joyce, but Mike wasn't stupid not to know what Nancy's alternative motives would be.
Of course she wanted to meet El, Jonathan too, and before Mike even knew what was happening, a trip to the bowling alley had been arranged with all of the group meeting at the Byer's house first.
El let out a soft nervous laugh and shrugged her shoulders casually, "I guess I was going to have to meet her at some point," she explained making Mike smile purely because he loved her. He still couldn't believe he had admitted that to El and was even more astonished that she had said it too.
El, the badass, beautiful telekinetic hero loved Mike Wheeler the clumsy nerd. Was he dreaming?
"You'll have to meet Holly too at some point," Mike said cheerfully, grinning wider when El looked up at him with interest. He cringed when adding, "and my parents."
"They can't be that bad," El reasoned as they carried on down the street, their eyes ahead on Joyce's house that was starting to come into view.
Mike bit his tongue to stop himself from complaining about his parents when he realised how much worse off he could have been. He thought back to seeing Brenner in the void with El and how she had reacted. He felt anger clench at his gut, his eyes flashing with anger for a moment as he realised how much he truly hated that son of a bitch.
"Yeah, they're not that bad." Mike answered as a sudden surge of gratitude washed over him. He definitely could have been worse off and decided not to complain about the life he had had so far. He turned his gaze on El again and felt a dopey grin take over his face, besides his life was turning out to be pretty perfect.
They were just approaching the steps when Mike tugged gently on El's hand getting her to stop. Before she could ask him why, he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, feeling butterflies soaring in his stomach as she hummed contently against his mouth.
Mike broke the kiss, only pulling away slightly so he could watch El's eyes flutter open, a dazed expression on her face as she looked at him. His heart sang with happiness and he found himself immediately smiling, probably looking incredibly foolish, like his body just couldn't contain how giddy he was feeling.
"I love you," Mike breathed out the words in a happy sigh.
El beamed at him, her eyes sparkling and her perfect pink lips stretching into a grin as she pressed up on her tip toes and placed a tender kiss on his lips. "I love you too," she whispered against his mouth.
"Come on," Mike exhaled with a bashful smile as he carefully laced his fingers with El's, looking down at their joined hands for a moment before looking at her beautiful face. "Let's go face the music."
El chuckled and nodded, her slight nerves when he had met her on the college campus seemed to have dissipated and in its place was an eager smile that Mike completely adored. He tried to focus on walking up the steps instead of staring at El, but it wasn't exactly easy.
"Mike! El!" Joyce fussed the moment she opened the front door to the young couple, swooping over to hug them both. "Come in, come in. Everyone else is here already." Mike could already tell considering the noise that was coming from the living room.
"Thanks Joyce," he said with a slight smile before he turned back to El and exhaled deeply. "You ready?" he whispered to her, ready for them to leave if this was too much for her.
El seemed to steady herself, taking a deep breath and then fixing her gaze onto Mike as a soft smile lifted her features. "Yes."
Here we go! Mike thought bracingly as he walked towards the living room with his hand in El's while Joyce closed the front door behind them and locked it.
The chatter in the room immediately quietened down as Mike and El walked in, everyone looked at them with knowing smiles before there was a sudden burst of sound making the couple jump.
"Ellie you're here!" Max called first, springing forward to hug El. Mike couldn't help but grin despite the fact that she was pulled from his side. He loved the new friendship that Max and El had built, it seemed really healthy for both of them.
While the girls hugged Mike grinned and patted shoulders with the boys, giving Jonathan a hug. "Hey bud," his soon to be brother in law called warmly as he hugged Mike back.
"If it isn't my little brother," Nancy called, the boys all parting like the red sea to let her walk through. She was so tiny compared to them all that Mike hadn't even noticed her there at first.
"Hey Nance," Mike grinned ignoring the embarrassed blush that was already spreading to his cheeks knowing that his older sister would definitely have fun teasing him in front of El today.
The two siblings stepped forward and hugged, all joking pushed to the side for a moment as they both secretly relished in the comfort that only a sibling knows. A mutual understanding of each other's past and an unconditional love passing between them. Mike wouldn't say it out loud, but he had definitely missed Nancy, and he could tell by the way she was holding him tight that she had missed him too.
They finally broke apart and Mike exhaled a nervous breath and turned his attention back to El who had just finished being hugged by Dustin. His eyes were still wide with awe and it made Mike want to laugh because it seemed his curly best friend would never get over his fangirling ways.
Mike held his hand out for El and she immediately took it, allowing him to pull her into the centre of the room where his sister was stood, an excited grin on her face as she appraised the very special person in her brother's life.
"Nancy this is El," Mike said trying to contain his foolish grin. "El this is Nancy."
El stretched out her hand and smiled shyly, "it's nice to meet you Nancy."
Nancy grinned at El's politeness and skipped the hand shake and went straight in for a hug, surprising the young girl before she hugged Nancy in return.
"It's really lovely to meet you El," Mike's older sister gushed as she pulled back to look at her again, her eyes dancing over El's features. "Mike has told me all about you and between you and me he never stops talking about you."
The room erupted into laughter except for Mike who groaned and dropped his head into his palm. "Nancy must you do this?" he mumbled.
His sister laughed in response and turned back to a grinning El who couldn't help but be pleased with what she was hearing. "Do you know he actually remembers the date that you two met?" Nancy said with a giggle while Mike continued to go red.
El however only smiled more contently and nodded her head, "yes January 16th."
Mike looked up from his palm, his flushed face turning to El just as she looked back at him with a shy smile. "You remember too?" he croaked nervously.
El grinned and chuckled softly making Mike's heart jump with happiness. "Of course I do," she answered easily.
Nancy gasped with delight looking childish as her eyes flicked between the couple. "Okay you two are ridiculously cute." She said with a grin before turning to Jonathan and ushering him forward. "El this is my fiancé Jonathan, and he's also Will's brother."
"Hi El welcome to this crazy family," Jonathan chuckled as he shook hands with the young girl.
Mike watched delight rising into El's eyes at being classed as one of the family, he couldn't help but grin in response, knowing that he always wanted El right here. Not just in the family that was the party, but in the Wheeler family too.
He hadn't told anyone yet, but he was on a mission to ask El to be his girlfriend. He knew that everyone already assumed they were dating, and he would be stupid to think she'd say no considering they had exclaimed their love for one another.
But for once Mike wanted to control the situation. He didn't want Dustin walking in, he didn't want to be asking her because something dramatic was happening. No. He just wanted to be in a romantic setting, make everything beautiful for her and then ask if she would consider being his girlfriend.
Even the thought made him giddy and nervous all at once and he exhaled and inhaled a shaky breath which went unnoticed as Joyce walked back into the room with a tray of drinks that Jonathan immediately took off her.
Mike settled down on the couch next to El, both of them holding hands and ignoring the cooing that was coming from Max and Dustin. Nancy continued to ask El questions and she responded willingly, now and again asking her own questions to Nancy and Jonathan, curious about their lives in New York.
An hour later they all set off for the bowling alley, Joyce waving them off with a smile on her face as she clearly looked forward to a break from the eight kids.
Mike was just securing his scarf when Nancy nudged his shoulder giving him a smirk. "I really like her," she whispered her gaze turning to El for a moment who was adjusting her beanie hat. Nancy looked back at her brother a mixture of teasing fun and yet seriousness in her eyes when she muttered, "don't let her go."
Mike couldn't help but smile in response, his eyes turning softer as he looked over at El who was laughing with Max when the red head joked about her wearing Mike's beanie. "I won't." he said with certainty, his heart rejoicing at the thought of being with El forever.
Mike couldn't contain his wide grin the moment the party walked into the bowling alley. It looked like it was stuck in a time capsule from the 80's with its neon signs, deep purple walls and red carpeted floor that led out to the polished wood of the bowling lanes with plush orange leather seats for the game participants.
The place was really busy mainly filled with college students enjoying their break, either crowded around the food merchants, bowling or heading into the small arcade that the alley held. Mike watched Max's eyebrows perk with interest as she looked at the classic arcade games, she had always been the most talented at games like Dragon's Lair and Dig Dug.
"It's a good thing I booked a bowling lane," Nancy laughed as she looked around at all of the students while the group followed her towards the desk where they could pay and collect their bowling shoes.
Mike turned to El and smiled, watching her as she took in all the sights and sounds of the bowling alley. The sound of crashing pins come just be heard over the loud speakers currently playing a new song called 'Jump' by Kris Kross.
"What do you think?" he asked her eagerly.
El looked up at Mike grinning and shouting over the music, "it looks fun!" Mike nodded in understanding smiling brightly, his teeth looking pearly white under the neon lights.
They queued at the desk, taking their turn to grab shoes off the attendant. Mike crouched down tying El's bowling shoes for her while she blushed with pleasure watching him.
"Right so there's eight of us, how do we want to split the teams?" Max called enthusiastically, her eyes competitive and ready to begin the first round. They had paid for three rounds, knowing it would be easier to get a clear winner out of the game.
"How about Team Disney verses Team Star Wars?" Nancy chuckled moving over to the electronic keyboard that was hooked up to the chunky television that hung above the polished bowling lane.
Mike rolled his eyes knowing that Nancy was referring to his and El's ongoing debate that he had brought up with his sister.
"Works for me," Max said cheerfully taking a seat on the orange leather bench.
"Me too," El grinned while Mike smirked at her, both of them narrowing their eyes playfully at one another.
"You know I'll win right?" he teased her, squeezing their joined hand and looking into her mischievous eyes.
"Oh, I don't think so," El challenged with a quirked eyebrow. Mike felt his heart racing once again, blood rushing through his body as he tried not to think about how sexy she looked, especially when she was flirting.
"Yeah El no cheating using your pow – using your talent." Dustin shouted over the music, correcting himself and smiling apologetically when Mike glared at him for his slip up.
The Star Wars team was made up of Mike, Dustin, Lucas and Jonathan and Team Disney consisted of El, Nancy, Max and Will who had shrugged to the other boys' dismay saying he kind of preferred Disney.
"And it has nothing to do with me being gay," he told the boys pointedly as if expecting them to tease him. "I just prefer them." He added with a smile when the boys all looked thoroughly betrayed while Team Disney laughed.
While there was a lot of goading and teasing that went on between the two teams as the game began, it soon faded with a lot of the members intermingling. Max was sat on Lucas's lap as they occasionally made out, Nancy was giggling with Jonathan when he whispered in her ear and Will and Dustin joked about their friends.
Mike was sat next to El, his arm slung over the back of the bench while she snuggled into his side making him warm and unbelievably happy. It was hard to believe that El hadn't always been here enjoying nights out as a fully-fledged party member. Mike could hardly remember his life before El, his whole heart now consumed by her.
He loved watching her bowling, the concentration that made her lips pout and her brow lower as she swung her arms and released the ball. Mike's eyes would watch the ball as he mumbled "come on" under his breath, knowing he shouldn't really be supporting an opposing team member but making an exception for El.
She wasn't great at bowling, but she certainly wasn't terrible either. Her ball knocked down four pins and El rejoiced, jumping up and down with excitement. Mike couldn't take his eyes off her, hurrying through his own go so that he could sit back down and stare at her.
El had been getting progressively better, finding a ball that was the perfect weight for her and refining her game play as she slid the ball down the shiny lane for the first time in the third game.
Mike watched with baited breath as the ball flew down the alley right in the centre heading straight for the middle pin. Everyone gasped in anticipation as the sound of pins being crashed into filled the air, the computer monitor voice shouting "strike!"
El whirled around, bemused shock on her face, her jaw dropping as she laughed while her team cheered and applauded, and Mike grinned so widely that he knew he looked like a total sap. But he didn't care.
He stood up moving towards El as she rushed to him, immediately launching herself into his arms and emitting an excited squeal at her success. "Did you see that?!" She gasped happily, her hands on Mike's shoulders as she pulled away enough to beam up at him. "I got a strike!"
Mike chuckled through his grin, his eyes bright and happy. "You did amazing," he told her adoringly as he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her nose making her giggle and blush a pretty pink.
Large silver trays of pizza and buckets of fries were brought over by the waitress as the party took a break to sit down and eat. Max wandered off to the arcade after a while, the call of the game machines too much for her to bare. Lucas, Dustin and Will followed her like eager puppies while Jonathan and Nancy headed to the ice hockey machine.
Mike and El were still sat on the orange bench, both facing each other and grinning as they ate pizza and fries. His arm was resting again across the top of the leather seat and occasionally El would lean her head against it, making them both smile bashfully.
"Are you having fun?" Mike grinned already knowing the answer as he stared at El, too caught up in her beauty to care about food right now.
El immediately nodded, her wide smile showing off her white teeth as she picked up another slice of pizza. "It's been the best night of my life," she answered truthfully, her eyes stunning Mike completely.
He watched her and felt his heart picking up speed all over again. There was just something about this moment, seeing her eyes completely free of trauma, seeing her be El. Truly and completely El. It was captivating, and it made Mike act foolishly.
She bit into her pizza slice, snorting with amusement when she pulled off most of the cheese in one go. The action caused tomato sauce to brush against her chin, but Mike had never thought anyone looked more beautiful. And he had never loved anyone like he loved her.
He stared at her, his eyes soft and his palms clammy. His heart beating loudly for her and only her.
"El will you be my girlfriend?"
It took a moment for Mike to even realise that the blurted out words had come out of his mouth. He froze in surprise, El frowning at his mumbled words and leaning in, "can you say that again?" she shouted in confusion. "I couldn't hear you over the music."
Mike closed his eyes for a moment. So much for a romantic way to ask her to be my girlfriend you idiot! He reprimanded himself.
And it wasn't exactly what you could call romantic. They were in a sweaty out-dated bowling alley which was filled with college students laughing loudly and goading each other, El had pizza sauce on her chin and there was a song called 'I Wanna Sex You Up' blasting out of the speakers. Great…just great.
Mike opened his eyes and swallowed nervously, his gaze dancing over El's face watching her own curious expression to his reaction for a moment. He looked down and reached for her free hand that wasn't holding her pizza slice.
He shuffled closer and leaned his head towards hers, his heart in his throat when she too pulled her body nearer to his. He didn't think he would ever get used to having El this close but right now she deserved an answer to his question and Mike would be damned if he put this off any longer.
"El," Mike began trying to shout over the music but also trying to sound sincere at the same time. In the next few seconds two things happened at once, the music was changing and so the volume had significantly reduced exactly when Mike shouted at the top of his lungs, "WILL YOU BE MY GIRLFRIEND?!"
El jumped back slightly from their proximity and Mike turned immediately bright red as he realised he had practically screamed in her face. What also didn't help was that other college students had heard his shouted exclamation and were hooting or wolf whistling the couple.
Mike gulped, feeling like his entire body was on fire as embarrassment flooded his senses as quickly as a tidal wave. He closed his eyes tight not even wanting to see El's reaction. "Excuse me while I go throw myself in a hole," he croaked out once again having to shout over the new song.
Mike stood up and could barely open his eyes again before he felt a hand clamp on his arm. He looked around slowly and anxiously to see El had stood up too. He expected to find her looking mortified, but she was smiling, really smiling. Her eyes dancing with a mixture of mirth and love and her smile playful and happy.
El wrapped her arms around Mike's neck while he looked at her through wild surprised eyes. She leaned up and kissed him, her lips eager and beckoning making him completely melt into her touch. His arms encircled her waist as he pulled her closer, their chests crushing together as their lips parted and their tongues met as the passion between them built rapidly.
They only pulled away when the catcalls got particularly loud and they realised with dazed expressions on their faces that practically the whole bowling alley had stopped their activities to watch them. Nancy was playfully cringing at seeing her brother making out, Jonathan was chuckling next to her. Lucas, Dustin and Will were cheering and Max…well Max was still playing Dig Dug, quite oblivious.
Mike and El turned back to look at each other, Mike sighed happily, a dopey grin curved his lips. "So, do I take that as yes?" he teased making El giggle and nod her head happily.
"Absolutely," she replied breathlessly, her eyes wide with love. "I want nothing more than to be your girlfriend Mike."
They smiled at each other, giddy, excited and happy, so happy. Mike rubbed the pizza sauce off El's chin making her laugh before they were kissing again, slipping into their own world, ignoring everything else.
Maybe asking El to be his girlfriend hadn't gone exactly to plan, but Mike couldn't help but feel like it was perfect still. They were both so happy and so in love. Could it get any better than that?
Friday 14th February 1992
El had been having the best week of her life. She was able to get out of the warehouse without much complaint now that Kali believed she was focusing on looking for Brenner, which in a way she was, but that took place in the night when El had Mike by her side in the peace of the void.
She had met Nancy and really liked Mike's sister, especially when she shared stories about a young Michael Wheeler doing something embarrassing or sweet. Mike might not have appreciated the stories but El certainly did, wanting to know everything there was to know about her boyfriend.
Her boyfriend.
El couldn't help the wide and dazed grin on her face as she made her way to the college campus where she was meeting Mike. This week had just been magical, El getting to experience going bowling with the party, watching movies together, eating out at diners and even laughing through her inauguration into the party.
It was very simple and had consisted of El sitting around the make shift D&D table while she repeated the party rules:
Friends Don't Lie.
When a party member requires assistance, it is your duty to provide that assistance.
Don't intentionally put the party in jeopardy.
Party secrets stay in the party.
In celebration of El becoming an official member of the party, the group all ate Eggo's and played a game of D&D, Mike proudly introducing El's new character, the Mage. Her heart tingled with love and joy as he looked up at her, his lopsided smile completely melting her into a puddle.
And now here El was, on her way to spend another fun filled day with her boyfriend. She shook her head knowing that the concept of belonging to Mike and him belonging to her would never get old. It made her practically beam knowing she meant something to someone, someone so incredibly special.
El adjusted her red dress as she walked feeling thankful that the bitter cold was very slowly ebbing away, buds appearing on the bare trees in the Plaisance Park. It didn't mean it was warm though, and she was thankful for the knitted black tights that kept her legs warm, the black boots on her feet and Mike's winter coat that she had unzipped to stop herself from overheating.
She clutched onto her bag, having got changed in a restroom because she didn't want Kali or the gang questioning her more formal attire. They had stopped mentioning her soft sweaters and even her skirts, but she didn't think they would allow this long-sleeved red lace dress to go unnoticed.
El knew she was dressed up, but there was good reason for it. Today was Valentine's day. It was a day that held no significance to El until yesterday when Max and Nancy had pulled her to the side in the Byer's house and asked her what she was getting Mike for the special day.
She had been horrified not knowing about the holiday and was curious why Mike hadn't even mentioned it. Nancy said it would have been because her brother wouldn't expect anything from El, although she laughed with certainty that Mike will have gotten El something.
This left her in a dilemma of trying to find out what to get her boyfriend on their first Valentine's day together. El had made her excuses and left the Byer's house much to Mike's disappointment, kiss him yearningly and promising to meet him the next day at the college.
In reality she had spent the rest of the afternoon rushing around stores in a panic, looking at the Valentine's day displays which seemed to be centred more towards women than men. At first she had cringed when she noticed the women's lingerie, sheer red material or French lace displayed on mannequins. But after a while she found herself staring at the lingerie as an idea sparked in her brain. There was something she could give Mike, something no one else would ever get and something that she wanted only him to have.
Nerves and excitement mixed into butterfly form in El's stomach as she rushed out of the store and headed to a pharmacy, blushing as she tried to choose a packet of condoms without much knowledge behind her decision. El was tempted to shop lift the box, not wanting the embarrassment of buying them. But then she exhaled, trying to fill her body with courage as she headed towards the cash register, reminding herself that she was trying to change her past behaviour.
El managed to pick up a few small gifts for Mike, her heart still beating fast with adrenaline as she tried not to smile too much about her real present. Her plan was to spend the day with Mike and then suggest they got back to his dorm room. El was sure Dustin wouldn't be a problem this time as Mike had already explained that him and Will were going to have a movie marathon and probably a sleepover while Nancy and Jonathan went on a date night. Max had gone to stay with Lucas at his dorm which she did on a regular basis.
It seemed like everything had slotted into place and El entered the campus with a determined grin on her face. Today she was going to give her all to Mike and she couldn't wait.
It wasn't long before El spotted Mike sitting on the steps of the computer science building. Her eyes lingered on a red gift bag next to him and she smiled warmly as she turned her gaze back onto her boyfriend. Her heart was in her throat, excitement and nerves bubbling in her stomach as she approached him.
"Good morning," El said softly making Mike jump from where he had been anxiously twiddling his thumbs.
He looked up at her, his surprised face lifting immediately into a wide grin, his dark starry eyes practically glowing. Mike stumbled to his feet, always clumsy no matter what. He didn't respond with words at first, hurrying down the remaining steps to El before his hands cupped her cheeks and he pulled her into a lingering kiss that made her sigh with contentment. She was finally home.
El smiled against Mike's lips, kissing him back with vigour as her heart soared and her whole body filled with warmth. They eventually pulled away gently, matching grins on their faces as Mike nuzzled his nose against El's. "Good morning beautiful," he finally replied in a happy sigh.
El giggled, unable to contain how giddy she felt. Being in love with Mike was the best feeling in the world.
"Happy Valentine's day," El said grinning as she reached for Mike's hand and entwined her fingers with his.
He laughed softly and grinned back, a dopey smile on his lips. "Happy Valentine's day. I wasn't sure if you knew about this holiday," he said gently, his eyes kind and tender as he stared at her. El loved the way he looked at her, it made her feel beautiful.
"Nancy and Max told me about it yesterday," El admitted with a chuckle before poking Mike playfully in the chest making him gasp with laughter. "Someone decided not to tell me!" she said to him teasingly, unable to stop grinning.
"I just didn't want you to have to worry about it," Mike said once his laughter died down, his hands moving to El's waist as she shivered with pleasure at the heat of his palms against the red lace dress.
"Well I was worried when I had to find you a gift last minute," El replied playfully telling Mike off whose eyebrows rose in surprise at her words.
"You got me a gift?" he asked bemused while El nodded and grabbed her bag, carefully routing through it before she pulled out a card and two wrapped presents.
Mike's eyes were even wider when El happily handed over the gifts and red sealed card. He seemed in disbelief and he blinked, his eyes vulnerable as he looked at his girlfriend. "No one has ever got me anything for Valentine's day before," he admitted.
El's gaze immediately softened and she smiled loving at him, "well we will have plenty of Valentine's days to make up for that." Her words were filled with determination but also a promise. A promise that they would have the rest of their lives to celebrate their love.
Mike grinned, his vulnerability disappearing and being replaced with assurance, trust and warmth. "Promise?" he whispered delicately as his eyes locked with El's.
She squeezed their joined hand and leaned up on her tip toes, kissing the tip of Mike's nose and smiling. "Promise."
Mike beamed with happiness and playfully pulled El over to the steps, both of them sitting down and exchanging gifts. "I'm going to open this later if that's okay?" Mike said indicating to his card and tucking it inside of his jacket.
El nodded with a smile as she peaked into the bag and pulled out her own card, eagerly unsealing the envelope and pulling out a cute Valentine's card that had two bears on the front cover. El couldn't help but laugh with warmth as she realised Mike had drawn two Eggos on the front making it look like the bears were holding them.
She tentatively opened the card and carefully read through Mike's messy scrawl, smiling to herself softly as she followed his words.
El,
I can't believe that I actually get to write you a Valentine's card and call you my girlfriend!
You are the kindest, brave and most beautiful girl I have ever met. Thank you for saving me. It has been the best 27 days of my life and I know with you by my side every day will be better than the last.
I love you.
Mike x
"Oh Mike," El said in a choked voice, her chest suddenly heavy as she tried desperately not to cry.
"Do you like it?" he asked her hesitantly, nerves in his voice as he watched her staring down at the card as her finger delicately touched the kiss mark.
El looked up, her eyes watery but filled with adoration for the man who had stolen her heart. She never wanted him to return it. "I love it. I love you," she said softly, leaning in to press a tender kiss on Mike's lips, making him smile gently as he watched her move onto the main present.
"Now if you don't like this, I can always return it," Mike called as El ripped off the haphazardly wrapped paper, gasping in surprise and utter delight when she looked down at her gift.
It was a plush yellow fish teddy, with blue stripes, bright eyes and a big smile. It was Flounder, one of El's favourite characters from The Little Mermaid. The one that she had told Mike she adored. And now she had her very own version.
"So?" Mike asked with a large grin, "what do you think?"
El laughed, amazement and happiness filling her features. She turned to face Mike, cupping his cheek and stroking along his cheekbone with her finger tips. "I think I love you even more!"
Mike chuckled, the sound muffled as El leaned in for another kiss which he enthusiastically responded to. His own hand moved to her curls, tangling into the brown locks and pulling her closer if that was at all possible.
"Why don't you open your presents?" El finally asked, breathless from their kiss that had ending after becoming something much softer than the passion that had started the embrace.
"Okay," Mike said happily as he started to pull off the wrapping paper. El bit her tongue, stopping herself from telling him that they weren't the main present, but then she would have only blushed if he had questioned her on what was.
Mike chuckled as he pulled the paper off a Reese's Peanut Butter shaped heart. "How did you know this was my favourite chocolate?" he asked with amusement as he looked up at his girlfriend with a warm grin.
"Nancy," El admitted wishing she could say she just knew.
"Ah," Mike laughed shaking his head with mirth before he pulled another present out of El's gift bag and handed it over with a smile. "Well great minds think alike!"
She ripped off the wrapping paper and laughed, seeing that Mike had got her an identical Reese's heart. "Thank you," she told him with a sweet smile before urging him to open his other present.
Mike was more delicate with taking off the paper for this present, noticing that it was more fragile. At first, he couldn't see what the silver chain was but when he turned it around he gasped in happy surprise. It was a death star on a key ring, but a Disney castle had been stuck to the front of it.
"It's the best of both worlds," El explained looking between Mike and the present she had created with the help of a bottle of glue and two different key rings.
Mike admired the two symbols representing him and El, his smile gentle and his eyes soft as he traced the designs with his finger. "Your world and my world, but as one," he said in awe, his voice quiet.
El beamed, knowing he understood the sentiment behind the present. Mike always understood. He looked up at her and grinned, leaning in to kiss her softly, "I love you and this present." He whispered. "Thank you."
El sighed happily, leaning her forehead against Mike's and closing her eyes contently for a moment, "you're welcome," she replied in an equally quiet and tender voice.
Now that their presents had been exchanged, Mike and El properly started their day. They walked hand in hand, stealing glances at each other and grinning dopey smiles.
Mike took El to the Navy Pier, somewhere she had only passed with longing glances but never got to enjoy before. They ate hot doughnuts from the food stall, rode the Ferris wheel, roller coaster and the Carousel, all the while laughing and grinning like the fools in love that they were.
El stopped them by the photobooth, pulling Mike inside and insisting that they get some photographs, not that he was hesitant, having wanted a photo of El for a while now. For the strip of four they both grinned, pulled faces, laughed and then kissed. Mike bought two copies, smiling bashfully as he handed El her strip of photos and watched her coo happily over the images.
Before either of them knew it, the sun was starting to set on another day in Chicago. Mike bought them two hot chocolates with cream and they clasped hands strolling across the docks sipping on their warm drinks. El vaguely realised that they weren't far from the warehouse but decided not to bring it up. It did however spark a realisation in her that she had been wanting to talk to Mike about since they had first said I love you in the void.
El slowed down her walking pace making Mike stop too as he turned to her, a gentle curiosity on his face as he smiled at her. "I wanted to talk to you about something," she started to explain trying to ease her beating heart by taking a deep breath. "I want to tell Kali about you Mike."
Her boyfriend's eyebrows rose dramatically, and his mouth opened slightly in surprise. "You do?" Mike croaked before clearing his throat. "I mean…won't she be pissed?"
El laughed nervously and nodded, "she will definitely be pissed. But I deserve it, I've lied to her Mike. It's about time I told her the truth." She said feeling the familiar guilt lurking back into her body.
"Do you want me to be there…when you tell her I mean." Mike asked, his own breathing slightly heightened as adrenaline rushed through them both at the thought of their relationship no longer being a secret.
"No," El grinned shaking her head for good measure. "I'm not expecting her to take it very well at first. But I'm hoping…I'm hoping that when I explain how much you have helped me with Brenner, how good you are for me and how I love you, that'll she will understand."
Mike smiled softly at El's words but then his grin dropped as he sighed heavily. "And if she doesn't understand?" he whispered, fear etched into his voice.
El felt her heart stop for a moment at the thought of being forbidden from seeing Mike. She couldn't even handle imagining that pain. She shook her head resolutely and squeezed his hand, "that won't stop us being together."
Mike exhaled in relief and a smile slowly curved back onto his lips. "Good," he breathed out the word as he leaned down and kissed El, making her smile against his mouth as she kissed him back, feeling a happy fluttering in her chest.
They continued to walk, making their way to the dorm and laughing as El bobbed cream onto Mike's nose before kissing it off. Everything was peaceful and perfect…until she felt a shiver run down her spine.
El stopped, making Mike come to a halt too. He looked down at her in confusion, but she didn't offer any response as she looked around, her heart picking up so much speed that she could hear her pulse pounding in her ears.
"El?" Mike asked concerned, still unable to get his girlfriend's attention as she whipped her head around the darkening streets.
They were being watched. She could feel it from the adrenaline pumping in her veins and the cold shudder playing at the back of her neck. El's breathing was heavy, Mike repeatedly asking her what was wrong became only a murmur as she tried to concentrate.
Her eyes went from the store fronts, to the parked cars, to passers-by on the streets before connecting with a pair of eyes, half concealed by the dark of the alleyway. El gasped, her expressive stare widening with fear.
It was man she had never seen before. A man that reacted immediately to her eye contact, stepping closer from his hiding place.
"El what's – "
"Mike," El interrupted urgently, beads of sweat erupting on her skin as her heart threatened to burst out of her chest. Mike looked back at her with wild eyes, his gaze dancing across her face trying to understand her fear. "We need to go. Now."
AN: Ahhhhhh! Lovely readers what did you think?! And what are your thoughts about what's going to happen next?!