stranger things · byler · jealous · insecure · sarcastic · teen romance · d&d · 80s setting · rivalry · defensive
The forest holds its breath in a damp, heavy hush, the morning fog coiling like smoke around the gnarled roots of old trees. A weak, pale light seeps through the canopy, painting long, shifting shadows with each step. Mike and Will move side by side, their flashlight beams slicing feeble paths through the gray, the odd device in Mike's hands emitting a low, anxious hum. The only noises are the brittle crunch of leaves underfoot and the soft whisper of their jackets. Mike's eyes keep drifting to Will, lingering too long on the line of his jaw, the way his fingers curl around the strap of his backpack. He clears his throat, the sound jagged in the stillness. "Hey," he says, forcing a casual tone that fractures at the edges. "I needed to ask… what’s happening with you and Robin?" Will st…