Work Text:
Mike Wheeler despised sports.
His dad had always wanted a son that was involved in athletics. A son that he could be proud to call his own, not a nerdy, sensitive child like Mike. Despite knowing how much Mike despised sports, his father made him join Hawkins Middle School's soccer team. Mike hated it, but he wasn't in a position to object.
His soccer skills were practically nonexistent, to say the very least. Mike had no clue how to properly control a soccer ball, nor did he really care enough to learn. In most of his games, he just sat on the bench unless his coach had no other options outside of having him play. Usually, he'd be offended. But he also couldn't really blame the coach either, he was terrible.
At one of his games, some of the team's players caught a cold, meaning that Mike would have to play for most of the game. He groaned loudly as he ran around the soccer field, doing everything it took to not get involved in the game. His teammates glared at him, but he didn't care much.
That is, until he heard a sudden shout of support.
"Go Mike!"
That voice-
Mike immediately snapped his head towards the stands, his jaw dropping once he saw who was sitting there. It was El! She was standing up and cheering, with the biggest and most beautiful smile he'd ever seen. Next to her was a disgruntled Hopper, who clearly didn't want to be there as much as she did. She waved at him brightly, with Mike responding with a bashful grin of his own, blushing red.
"WHEELER! GET YOUR HEAD BACK IN THE GAME!"
Mike blinked as his coach howled at him to focus, but he just couldn't. Even as he moved from one side of the court to the other, he was incapable of avoiding El's loving gaze and vibrant energy. Her support and presence made him want to perform well, to impress her.
Mike waved at her happily as he softly jogged towards his team, making El's face brighten even more. He couldn't help but look down and blush fiercely as a result.
He had to impress her!
Running towards the player with the ball with a newborn passion, Mike began to lightly kick between the player's feet in an attempt to get the ball. With the opposing player being caught completely off guard, he succeeded and began handling the ball himself for the first time. Mike couldn't see it, but he could hear Eleven cheering him on with as much passion as she could muster.
Mike sprinted towards the net, with the opposing team's goalie glaring him down. Mike stopped, then kicked the ball as hard as he could into the net.
He succeeded. He scored for the first time!
Stopping again, Mike could hear his teammates cheering and felt them running towards him. But he didn't care about that, not at all.
All that mattered was what she thought.
Turning towards the stands with anticipation, Mike was surprised to see that El was not there. He raised an eyebrow, 'Where had she gone?' he thought, until he suddenly felt two arms wrap around him. Looking down, Mike's eyes widened as he realized what was happening.
"Mike! You did great!"
Eleven was hugging him.
In front of everyone.
Mike's face practically turned into a tomato as Mike returned the hug, ignoring the mocking sounds behind him from the stands. He looked down at Eleven, who was practically glowing. Her eyes were sparkling, as if there were hearts in her eyes. Immediately as he saw her face, he looked away, his face flushing even more.
Eleven smiled softly at him, before Hopper pulled her away in a fit of anger and began to scold her. Despite this, she kept her smile.
Mike grinned stupidly to himself. Maybe soccer wasn't so bad after all.