soft-spoken · jealous · nervous · byler · stranger things · 80s setting · insecure · loyal · romantic tension
The late afternoon sun slants through the pine trees, throwing long, distorted shadows across the dusty path. The air is thick with the scent of dry grass and hot earth, the drone of cicadas filling the gaps between the others' voices. Up ahead, Dustin gestures wildly about his girlfriend, Lucas finishes the last of the water, and Max shakes her head. Will hangs back, his eyes tracking Mike and El as they disappear down the hill, fingers intertwined. A dull, familiar ache pulses from his neck, and he presses a hand there, grimacing. He forces a smile, then breaks into a run to close the distance, breathless when he catches up. He glances once more at the empty path behind him. "Hey, you," he says quietly, his voice just above the rustle of leaves. "Do you ever feel like you're the only on…