Chapter Text
The fall weather was rapidly approaching. Orange, yellow, and sometimes brown leaves had begun piling on the ground in piles. The wind had a light chill to it, and the annual autumn scent of apples and dirt in the air surrounded the town of Hawkins, Indiana.
His walkie talkie crackled in the corner of the room. Breaking apart the quiet atmosphere that was set prior. Heroes by David Bowe drowning out most of the static and unintelligent gibberish. The gray walkie continued to make noise for almost a minute before he picked it up.
“-ke. -ike.” He fiddled around with the setting, turning the radius up and switching frequencies. “Mike. Do you copy? Mike.”
“I’m here. I’m here. Geez, what do you want?” Mike replied. Not even trying to hide the sass and annoyance in his voice.
“Took ya long enough. I’ve been trying to reach you for like five minutes.” Mike could tell it was Dustin that was blabbering his ear off. He let out a groan of frustration and rolled over on his bed. Laying flat on his back, and letting the curly black hair he’d grown out tangle around his head against the fabric.
Mike muttered an “uh-huh,” into the walkie and rolled his eyes. “What is it?”
“The extended party, Steve, Nancy, Robin, Joyce, Hopper, and Jonathan are getting together to set up watch groups near some of the portals. Were supposed to be there in like se-” Dustin’s speech became a mess of vowels and random words as the second half of Heroes came on. The louder part of the music making his words undecipherable.
“Wait Dustin I can’t hear you- lemme turn my music down.” He reached for the radio, Dustin’s whine of annoyance coming through clearer than his words. “Sorry, what were you saying?”
“I was trying to say that the extended party, Steven, Nancy, R-”
Mike interrupted, “Yea I got that part.”
“We're setting up watch groups. We’re meeting at Hopper’s cabin to figure out who and where in seventeen minutes.” Mike’s end went silent as he clenched his teeth, and muttered a quiet ‘shit’ as he sat up and looked around his room for his bag. “Don’t tell me you forgot… Mike!”
“Nope! I was planning to leave right now anyway.” Mike turned the walkie’s volume up and left it on the bed as he threw on a sweater and put on some shoes. Hopping on one foot as he tied the laces- horribly too, they wouldn’t stay together for more than twenty minutes.
“Sure you did. Did you turn off the radio? And Nancy’s already here, so you have to bike.”
“What? She took the car?” Mike reached across his bed to turn the radio off. Not bothering to put it away.
“Yep.”
“Ugh, okay. Be there in fifteen.”
“Rodger that! See you there!” Mike laughed and turned his head away to hide it.
“Bye Dustin.” The walkie was turned off before Dustin could say anything.
He raced down the stairs, bag slung over one shoulder. Ted was in the living room planted in front of the TV as always, and his mother stood in the kitchen cutting up vegetables for the crock-pot she had planned for that night.
“Mike honey, where are you going?” The sound of cutting stopped, as his mother turned towards him. Her perfectly curled blonde hair jumped as she tilted her head.
“Will’s. I’ll be home late.” He hurried out. It was the most believable after all. How else do you tell your parents you’re meeting up to plan out how to stop the almost apocalyptic nightmare going on outside?
“I thought Joyce was out today?” Mike froze and turned to meet his mother’s eyes.
“Uh- she is, Will’s not though. I’m just hanging out there. It'll be fine mom.” He glanced at the watch on his wrist and glanced at the door.
“Okay.. I want you home by nine. Who knows what could happen nowadays.”
“I’m just at Will’s place! I’ll be fine. Nine’s so early!?”
“Listen to your mother Michael.” Ted’s muffled voice came through from the living room. Uninterested and most likely unaware of what they were even discussing. Mike hated when he did that-pretending to parent. He glared at the back of Ted’s head.
“Mike, I’m just worried about you. I worry for your safety.” She took a step towards him and clasped her hands together. Offering him a smile only a worried mother would give.
“Don’t want’ch getting in with the wrong crowd.” He paused to take a sip of his beer, the soft pats of his feet lifting up to rest on the coffee table followed shortly after. “Seems there’s many of them in Hawkins these days. And being normal was never your strong suit.”
The silence that stretched was horrible. He should have left through the basement.
His mother grabbed his hand, placing her other hand on his shoulder. “Be home at ten okay? Tell Will and Jonathan I said hi. Joyce too if you see her.” Her voice was quieter and her eyes looked tired. She smiled nonetheless, tighter than the last, but still full of love.
Mike nodded and left through the front door. Walking around the house to the garage where his bike was.
The ride to Hopper’s cabin was nice. Cold, but nice. The rushed past his head. Cooling him down. Maybe a little too much. He should have probably bought a jacket. The sun wasn’t out too much, but it still brightened the cloudy sky. A leaf or two floated by in an almost cartoon-like fashion. When the cabin-now rebuilt thanks to group efforts-came into view, Mike found he was more anxious than relieved to be back. Nancy, Jonathan, and Steve’s cars were parked scattered around the outside of the cabin. Hopper parked directly in front with that same old beat-up truck he somehow got back. Dustin’s and Lucas’ bikes were leaning against the side, and he took that as a sign to do the same. Dustin and El were waiting outside for him. El gave him a big wave, and an even bigger grin, while Dustin looked annoyed but happy to see him.
“Took y’a long enough. What happened to ‘be there in fifteen?’ Did you get lost?” Dustin teased, glancing at El with a smug expression as she smiled back.
“Ted was being his usual self.” Mike finished his sentence with an eyeroll and pursed lips. El hugged him like they hadn’t seen each other in months. Dustin made a fake gagging sound and El gave him a knowing smile.
“Your Dad’s a pain in the ass.” Dustin’s face wore a disgusted expression. He’s never been quiet about his dislike of Ted. “Like royally.”
“Tell me about it.” Mike laughed, cracking his knuckles. An anxious habit that his mother had always complained about.
Mike followed the two inside, only now realizing that his hair was messy. Like curly and frizzy, kind of messy. He normally brushed it out while it dried. Curse sisters and their excessive bathroom use. El tugged on a piece and watched it recoil, bumping shoulders with him as she went back to the old couch she must’ve been sitting on earlier. Dustin was sitting beside her, and Mike glanced around the room before sitting on the floor beside Will. He and Jonathan had pulled up chairs to create some kind of talking circle. Everyone else seemed to be in the kitchen doing who knows what.
Will tapped his foot against Mike’s knee. Locking eyes with him and smiling, mouthing a small ‘hi,’ which Mike quickly reciprocated. Nancy shot him a glare when she came in, annoyed that he had shown up late. Joyce however rubbed his shoulder and tried to offer him a chair.
Keyword tried. He’d gotten pretty friendly with the floor, and would rather not move again.
“Where’s Hopper?” El started,
“And Steve. And Robin?” Dustin continued.
“Kitchen. Not sure what they’re talking about anymore though.” Jonathan provided. Slouching over in his chair and running a hand through his hair.
“Hopper’s discussing arrangements with Steve and Robin. They offered to be lookouts for the first bit.” Nancy was tapping her foot as she explained. Looking away somewhere, probably deep in thought.
“Who’s doing the other post?” Lucas jumped in. He was beside Dustin and El on the couch, arms crossed and posture worse than he’d seen in a while.
“Maybe me and Jonathan? It seems the most reasonable..” Nancy continued. Biting her lip and glancing up at Jonathan. The latter nodded in kind, but let out a heavy semi-concealed sigh.
“I thought you guys were helping with community service and organizing resources? Y’know for when we have to do like- a big fight and all.” Dustin interrupted, gesturing with his hands for emphasis.
Nancy sighed, and crossed her arms. Nodding her head as she spoke, “Yea, but that’s kind of the only game plan we have right now. Hopper’s still tracking the military too..”
“I could go.” The room felt heavy as everyone stopped to stare at Will. Joyce looked horrified. “I mean you said it was only for a few days right? We aren’t even in the upside down, and I know how to use guns.” Mike's stomach dropped. A kind of guilt and worry he hadn’t felt since before the Byers had moved to California.
“Will, baby, I can’t let you do that.” Joyce tried reasoning.
“I know, but we all have to do our part right? I’ll know if something upside down related happens before it reaches us.” Will continued, sitting on the edge of his chair and scanning around the room every few seconds to try and gauge everyone’s reactions. They were not pleasant.
Joyce looked a few seconds off tears and Jonathan looked pissed at him for even suggesting that. On one hand, Mike thought Will should at least try to take a break. On the other hand, he was feeling like he wanted to do something really really stupid..
“If Joyce is okay with it, It’s not a horrible idea. We could make sure both groups have cars in case anything goes wrong and you need a quick way out. You could take my car, I’m sure I could convince my mom to borrow hers occasionally.” Nancy replied, thinking out loud.
Joyce crossed her arms in a way that looked more like she was hugging herself, hands shaking. El seemed skeptical, Lucas and Dustin exchanged worried glances like they had to offer to go as well, and Jonathan looked like Will had just asked to become bait for Vecna. The muffled voices of Hopper, Robin, and Steve could be heard over the eerie silence.
Mike spoke before he could even register what he was signing himself up for. “I could go with him.” That sure caused an outcry, Mike definitely could have phrased it better.
“Dude I’m not sure that’s a good idea..” Dustin started. And everyone’s voices followed at the same time afterwards.
“Are you crazy Mike!? Going Demogorgon watching? Really?” Nancy’s voice was definitely louder than the rest.
“Mike..” Was the only thing El could manage.
“Mike, there’s other things you can help with. This is not one of them.” Was Jonathan’s way of trying to nicely say he was way over his head.
“Can you even use a gun?” Was Lucas’ statement. He was right, but it definitely didn’t help his case.
Will glanced at him worriedly, and Joyce started chewing on her lip. Starting and stopping herself from saying something.
“You guys all have things to do. I haven’t done much since this all blew up. ‘Figured I could help out.” He shifted uncomfortably and avoided everyone’s eyes. Glancing around in the general directions of their faces instead.
Nancy released a big exhale and pinched the bridge of her nose. Trying to sway her brother away from doing something stupid, “Like Lucas said you can’t use a gun-
“I could learn.”
“-And it would take too long to properly train you. Jonathan or I will go.”
“I’ve got pretty good at cutting down the trees needed to rebuild the cabin. I could use the axe.” They needed a meeting spot and everyone seemed to be busy or injured, so Mike, Will, and El had worked together to try and rebuild parts of the cabin-with Hopper’s guidance of course.
“Mike, you could barely swing it when you first started.” Nancy countered, she wasn’t annoyed or angry. Just scared. Her voice shook with each word.
“I learned. I could learn now.” He stared her down. Internally regretting how stupid of an idea this was, but way too stubborn to turn this down. “Plus I have my license, I could drive us down. No one else in the party has theirs.”
“Me and Jonathan have ours, Mike. Are you really planning to kill a Demogorgon with an axe?”
“Kill? No. The axe is just in case. Like you said, if something goes wrong we get in the car and leave.” Mike started picking the end of his nails off and looked at Will. The latter’s face was blank. Like he couldn’t decide if this was a good thing or bad thing.
Nancy started pacing, mumbling out options and ideas to herself. Joyce chirped in “I’m sure Steve could teach you a few things- and we can come back to this later when we’ve all cooled off.” Mike would rather go in empty handed than have Steve teach him, but he was getting desperate.
“Let's do that. Mike don’t do anything irrational after everything that’s happened…” Dustin offered, sneaking a glance at Lucas who was too lost in thought to notice what he was referring too.
“Fine. I can wait.” Mike replied, bringing his knees up to his chest and hugging them.
Dustin awkwardly coughed and stood up, “I’m going to go let Steve and the other knows- uh, yea.” Shuffling in between Mike and the coffee table.
A few more choice words were spoken, and a few worried comments from Joyce were directed at Will and Mike as the room started to empty out. Not exactly in a tense and awkward way-well besides Dustin-but in a ‘were too busy to sit around and argue right now’ way.
El had come and sat in front of Mike and Will after Lucas left. Saying his goodbyes and heading down to the hospital to visit Max. Mike could almost make out what he thought were Nancy and Jonathan talking outside.
“Why do you want to go Mike?” El questioned. Rubbing his knee and tilting her head in question.
“I want to help- I haven’t ever really done much.” Mike shrugged in turn. Glancing at Will who held his gaze for a few moments before looking at the ground.
“You have done a lot. For me and the others. Not just with the upside down.” El argued. Mike didn’t respond. What else was there to say?
At some point Mike had zoned out and the two had started talking about art. As always. El had really started taking a liking to it recently. El moved beside him, leaning her head on his shoulder, and Will migrated to the floor. The chair he once sat on was gone.
“Right Mike?”
“Huh? Yea totally.” El gave him a pointed look and Will giggled in a way that had Mike fighting to drag his eyes away.
“So I started painting my nails. Hopper only bought me three colors but Joyce let me borrow some of hers.” El continued, showing off her painted fingernails towards Mike who hummed in turn.
“Are you still planning to do blue next?” Will asked, placing his hands behind him and leaning back.
“No. I am going to do purple instead.” She paused, mauling over her next words. “Max painted them purple when we had a sleep- over.” They fell into silence after that.
The rest of the day passed like a not so comforting breeze. Jonathan and Nancy had run into town to pick up some takeout. The shitty kind that has absolutely no health benefits or nutrients but tastes awesome. The party had somehow all ended up outside-much to Mike's protests. The sky was getting darker earlier in the day now-the temperature hadn’t quite dropped at night, but it was coming. Give or take a few weeks. Dustin and El had started explaining the tracking idea they came up with. El moved from her spot beside him to demonstrate something she couldn’t explain. Dustin also did an elaborate arm demonstration of spying on what Mike assumed was Dustin's impression of Vecna.
A shoulder brushed against his and Mike looked to his right. Watching as Will sat down and got comfy beside him. They shared an awkward smile and both focused on the growing discussion around them.
After an hour of just existing in each other's space, Will broke the silence.
“What made you decide Demogorgon scouting was your calling?” Will’s words dragged him away from the very important display he was watching. The way he added humor to his sentences made Mike short-circket. Not in a weird way.
“Oh- Uh.. I dunno, I feel like I’m kind of just standing around and watching you guys do all the work.” He offered back with a shrug. Biting his lip and glancing back at the other three.
“I mean I haven’t done much either.”
“Yea but you’re you. You’ve been caught up in the past, it’d be better if you got a break ‘n all.” Mike choked out, realizing midway that may not have been the best way to phrase it. “Not like that- I mean a break would be nice- for you. You’re stuck being at the center and all. Like-“
“Mike I get it, a break does sound kind of nice.” Will paused, leaning back on his forearms and looking up at the sky. “We don’t really have much time for that now though..”
“Right- yea.” Mike nodded in turn. Taking another mouthful of food to distract himself. Every conversation with Will feels strained and awkward nowadays.
Mike started and stopped multiple different sentences-never actually getting any sound out. Will seemed unaffected, watching the other party members chat as if Mike wasn’t struggling to talk to his own best friend.
“Mike! I’m heading home. If you don’t want to bike in the dark we’re leaving now!” Nancy’s voice-his saving grace-carried through the woods from the other side of the cabin.
“Well, I guess I’ll see you around?” Mike rushed out, an awkward smile accompanying it.
“Yea. See you around.” Will replied. Deep green eyes swallowing him whole. They looked more alive than the trees did. Mike only nodded.
The entire ride home was quiet. A calculated quiet of Nancy trying not to lose her cool on him while she drove. Occasionally the sound of his bike hitting the ceiling in the back seat after going over a pot hole broke it up momentarily (it wouldn't fit in the trunk and Mike was praying it
didn’t track any dirt or mud in).
“Do you really want to do this?” Nancy didn’t sound angry, just worried. Sad almost.
“Yea. What else would I be doing? Staying in my room?” Nancy opened and closed her mouth a few times. Her hands tightening on the steering wheel.
“You could help Dustin and El?” She tried.
“Is it really a three person job?” Mike glued his eyes to whatever he could out the windshield. Refusing to meet any of the glances Nancy sneaked.
“Okay. Just.. promise me you’ll run if something happens.”
“I said I would.” Nancy kept whatever else she wanted to say to herself after that.
“You’re swinging it wrong, no- god. Okay, okay- wait a second.” Steve let out a snort; placing a hand on his hip and trying to contemplate what led him to this moment. “Wheeler, you’re holding the axe way too far from your body.”
Mike glared at him and dropped his stance. Letting the axe slump against the ground. “What am I supposed to do then? It’s not a baseball bat.” Steve pretended to ignore the eyerolled that was added in at the end.
“I mean- you would hold it almost like a baseball bat. Put your hands higher up on the grip- lemme’ show you.” He held his hand out, waiting for Mike to give over the axe. The same way a mother would when taking a toy their child wasn’t supposed to have. “Hands here. You see the difference?”
“Mhm..” Mike wasn’t trying to come across as rude, he’d just rather anyone else teach him this kind of stuff. Even Hopper.
“I’m trying to help you, Mike. Nancy would kill me if I let you go untrained. For both our sakes, chill out a little on the attitude would ya?” Steve had his arms crossed and Mike wondered how Dustin put up with this all the time.
“Fine- sorry.” Mike rushed out. Pursing his lips and looking off into the trees past Steve’s head.
“It’s fine, Wheeler. I’ll let you swing it soon.” Steve continued to show the different grips, making sure Mike was paying attention to each one.
“Why do you hold it so close to your body anyway?”
“Same reason you hold any weapon close to your body.” Mike gave him an odd look, and tilted his head. “It leaves an opening.” Steve repositioned to hold the axe away from his body as Mike had before. “All of this is unprotected. One wrong move and a Demogorgon will slice right down.” He gestured with one hand towards the front left side of his body.
Steve handed the axe back to Mike and walked a dozen feet out into the tree line. Shouting “show me what’cha got!” Mike swung the axe the same way Steve had.
“Like this?”
“Almost, angle your body.”
“What does that even mean?” Mike frowned.
“Take a step into it. Swing with your body weight.” Mike took an awkward step forward and somehow slowed down his swing in the process. Steve let out a laugh and covered his mouth. Mike really wanted to punch him. He just pouted instead.
“It’s not that funny.”
Steve let out a half cough half chuckle and shook his head. “You’re right. I’ve just never seen someone do that so ungracefully. Except for maybe Dustin.” Mike shot him a glare. “Pass it here.”
Steve took the axe off of him once again and swung. “So kinda like golfing is what you're saying?”
“Uh- I guess yea. Just aim higher. You’ll need to go for a Demogorgon’s head or neck.” Mike nodded in turn. He took a few steps back and tried his luck again. “There you go! Like that!”
Mike smiled for the first time since he’d been forced (willingly) to practice with Steve. “That’s it? I just do that?”
“Almost. Now you have to practice on moving objects- I think I have an old tire around here I can tie to a tree.” Mike groaned and set down the axe. Running a hand through his hair, then crouching on the ground. “Don’t worry, I’ll only have you hit it a few times.”
This was going to be a long day.
Two and a half hours later, Mike was finally relieved of his punishment-learning how to defend himself against monsters he willingly wanted to go up against-and was now in the Cabin with El, Steve, and Robin. Apparently Robin was also learning how to fight. Only she was trying to figure out which weapon AND how to use it. The two girls had been sitting at the kitchen table when Mike walked in, slumping against the couch and groaning.
“Sounds like you had fun.” Robin joked. El grinned and took another bite of her food.
“Don’t even mention it.” Mike sat up and looked around for free food. Settling on grabbing a cup of water and pulling up a chair instead. Somewhat pushed away from the table.
“Do you think you are ready to do the three day camp?” El asked, head tilted in a way that let hair fall into her eyes. In a cute way.
“The what?” Mike questioned. Squinting his eyes as he spoke.
“The trip you guys are going on? With Will.”
“Oh. I think so.” Mike slouched back in his chair. Setting the glass on the table.
“Does Steve think so as well?” Robin asked. Leaning over the table and smirking. Mike can see why she and Steve get along.
“No..” Mike glanced out the window, pretending there was something interesting outside to look at.
“You and me both kiddo.” Mike frowned at that and Robin smiled warmly.
“Mike.” El questioned, her eyes squinting at his hair. “That is not how you tie up hair properly.”
“Huh?” Mike reached up, feeling the out half undone bun he’d done during the training. He’d gotten fed up with hair in his eyes and mouth.
He pulled the hair tie out-some extra strands of hair coming out with it. “Here.” El reached over and tried to put his hair in a quick bun, also failing miserably. Robin laughed at the two and continued to eat her sandwich.