Chapter Text
June 1985. Hawkins, Indiana.
(Mike's POV)
Mike Wheeler could hardly contain his excitement as he rode in the van with his family. The Wheeler family was going to the 97th annual Hawkins Day Parade. It was always the highlight of the summer for the citizens of Hawkins. There were several large floats and people threw candy and it was just a fun time; but for Michael Theodore Wheeler, this Hawkins Day Parade was extra special. It was special for Mike, because it special for the love of his life: Jane "Eleven" Hopper. El had never seen a parade before in her life and Mike was going to have fun showing El the floats and watching her pig out on candy, considering that there was any candy to be salvaged. Their bard, Dustin Henderson always tried to scoop it up before the rest of the party could get a chance. As Ted Wheeler drove the van into a parking space, Mike could hardly see anything thank to the huge mass of humanity. Hawkins was supposed to be a small town with not that many people living in it, but you wouldn't know it, looking at the mob that had come out to watch the parade. As soon as the van stopped, Mike and his sister Nancy both struggled to get out.
"Slow down you two." Karen Wheeler chided them as she held baby Holly. "I do not want you getting lost.
"Don't worry mom, just find some Eggos and you'll find Mike." Nancy remarked as she poked fun at El's love of Eggos.
"Yeah, just find some photos and you'll find Nancy." Mike shot back as he poked fun at Jonathan's love of photography.
"Both of you, knock it off." Mrs. Wheeler ordered. "You both have found someone special and you should be happy for one another and by the way Michael, I want you to bring Jane over one of these nights."
"But mom!" Mike whined.
"No buts Michael...Nancy, that goes for you too." Karen ordered as the two eldest Wheeler children complained as they exited the van and made their way into the heart of the crowd. As Mike walked, he was looking for the person he had to see. Suddenly, he heard the most sweetest sound that he had ever known or ever would know.
"Mike!"
Mike turned around to see El, his El running towards him. He ran towards her and they both embraced and kissed.
"El, I've missed you so much!" Mike said as he inhaled the scent of her hair, which had grown out long and looked even more beautiful then usual.
"I missed you too." El replied. "I kept asking dad to let me see you, he said no." Mike sighed. After the siege at Castle Byers, chief Jim Hopper had forced El to keep a low profile until he was satisfied that Majestic 12 was not sending reinforcements to avenge Agent Tyrone Seibert. It had been Hell for El, not being able to see her Mike. They were still able to communicate through their supercomms, but it was not the same. Not by a long shot. However, Hopper was,going to be riding in the parade and he did not want to leave his daughter alone. Thus, it would be the perfect time for the two lovers to be together. As Mike and Eleven walked through the crowd, they eventually caught sight of the rest of the party.
"Mike!" Will Byers, the cleric shouted as he saw the paladin.
"Hey El!" Lucas Sinclair, the ranger added as they embraced Mike and El.
"I swear, we are gonna score so much candy!" Dustin exclaimed. Suddenly, Max Mayfield, the zoomer, came up on her skateboard.
"Mad Max has arrived!" Lucas shouted as she pulled him into a kiss.
"Take it easy stalker." Max giggled. Mike laughed as he saw Steve Harrington walking up to them.
"How's it hanging, brats?" Steve said as he adjusted his bitching shades.
"Don't you mean ahoy?" Will asked as everyone burst out laughing.
"Seriously?" Steve asked. "Do you always have to give me shit about working at Scoops Ahoy, I'm just doing it to make some extra cash. Can you try to be mature, as hard as that may be. By the way Max, your douchebag brother isn't here, is he?" Max shook her head.
"He wanted to stay home." She replied.
"Probably doesn't want Steve to kick his ass again." Dustin added. The kids laughed as they began to watch the parade. The first thing they saw was the Hawkins police department, led by Jim Hopper.
"Dad!" El shouted as she waved at Chief Hopper. Hopper waved back as he began throwing out Eggos.
"The Chief made Eggos?" Lucas asked as El picked up as many as she could.
"God El, if you love Eggos, why don't you just marry them?" Max said jokingly. El gave Mad Max a dirty look.
"I only marry Mike." She insisted as Mike blushed a deep shade of red. As everyone started teasing Mike, every saw the next float which was carrying the mayor of Hawkins: Lawrence "Larry" Kline. Mayor Kline was waving and smiling at his townspeople. Larry Kline had become the mayor of Hawkins after unseating the previous mayor during the last election. After the disappearance of Will Byers, the "death" of Barbara Holland, and the incident involving Hawkins National Laboratory, Kline had ran on a "good ol' days" platform, vowing to bring peace and prosperity back to Hawkins. His approval rating had gone up after he oversaw the construction of Starcourt Mall.
"He just seems slimy if you ask me." Dustin remarked.
"No one asked you Dustin." Lucas replied.