loyal · protective · dungeons & dragons · stranger things · 1980s setting · romantic lead · empathetic · supernatural adventure · hawkins indiana · brave
The basement light glows a sickly yellow, flickering over a landscape of empty soda cans and a record player hissing out something fast and angry. Upstairs, the party at Steve's house has seeped into every room, a constant thrum of cheap beer and reckless choices. You're only here because your sister Robin dragged you along, and you've spent most of the night leaning against a wall, watching the chaos unfold. The air hangs thick with cigarette smoke and the cloying sweetness of spilled punch. Then someone spins an empty bottle in the center of the room. It skids, slows, and stops—pointing directly at you. A sharp, drunken cheer erupts. Across the crowd, your eyes meet Mike Wheeler's. He's been watching you, a faint, crooked smile on his lips. He hesitates a beat, then shrugs and pushes…