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Mike doesn’t need a dad.
He has a dad, who taught him to ride his bike, gave him pocket money, let him stay up watching movies. Who doesn’t take interest in his schoolwork, leaves parenting to Mom, never hangs out unless they’re watching TV because that’s where his dad spends all his time.
Dad once enjoyed playing with him. Something changed. He used to take interest in Mike. Nancy, too. Not so much Holly. Maybe three kids is too many.
It's all even worse than it was, before that sticky summer night a couple months ago. Mike probably should’ve known. His dad was never great at knocking. Now, he’s lucky if Ted even looks at him.
And, the Chief… he acts like the whole town’s dad. He yells, he’s grumpy. Sometimes smells like beer. Mike doesn’t want another Ted. Doesn’t need a guy whose most used sentence is, “Listen to your mother,” while he doesn’t even look up from his newspaper.
Hopper was a pain in the ass when Mike was with El, worse after they split; mad about Mike hurting his ‘little girl.’ Mike isn’t sure he can blame him. It’s been a year and Mike’s still mad at himself.
“It’s alright to speak,” Hopper says over the radio buzz. “Not a, ‘Anything you say can and will be used against you,’ situation.”
Mike huffs.
Hopper copies.
“Your parents don’t know when they’ll be home.”
Holly just had to break her arm the same week Mom randomly moved the spare key and Hopper happened to be passing while Mike was attempting to jimmy a window open. Hop insisted on finding out where the Wheeler parents were, called up the hospital after Callahan saw their car.
“Don’t know why Mom wants me to sleep at yours when I could go to a friend’s,” Mike mutters. “Nancy’s at Jonathan’s.”
Hopper smiles, eyes on the road. “I know, I was there for dinner.”
Ugh. Right. Hopper and Joyce. The only upside is at least El won’t be at Hop’s—she’s sleeping at Max’s.
“Your, uh, mom was saying your dad could’ve come to let you in but she didn’t think that was a good idea. Said things are tense with you two.”
Mike stiffens, stares very hard out the side window with a deep frown. His parents are talking about it now? Great. Whole town might as well know.
“And Will was telling me earlier that he hasn’t seen you in a bit.”
Mike’s feeling sick. Why does everyone need to talk about it?
“Can’t exactly invite him over or Dad’ll never talk to me again,” Mike mutters.
“Did he say that?”
Hopper’s tone surprises Mike—makes him turn in his seat to look at him.
“Um. No. But. It’s not like he… cares. Hasn’t asked me about my day or whatever since I was, like, nine. He’s definitely not going to now that— now…”
“Now that you’re kissing Will Byers?”
Mike clamps his mouth shut, cheeks immediately flooding red. Hopper glances over and shrugs, an easy smile on his face. He’s never looked at Mike like that.
“Will’s… missing you. Don’t worry. Secret’s safe.”
Mike swallows and stares at his lap, streetlights illuminating his legs in a pattern as they drive.
“I don’t think my dad likes me very much now that I’m older,” he says quietly. “Not the son he wanted.”
Hop doesn’t respond. Mike thinks maybe he didn’t hear. Or maybe he doesn’t know how to reply because… it’s true? He’d agree, if it was his boy?
He speaks when they’re pulling up to the cabin.
“He doesn’t deserve you, kid.”
They’re quiet again as they walk to the door; Hopper pauses before he lets them inside.
“Mike… I gave you a lot of flack for what happened between you and El. I was just hurting watching her hurting. I’m gonna tell you what I told Will—you’re a damn sight braver than I was at your age, because it’s scary being yourself. Your dad should be proud of you and if he isn’t then it’s his fuckin’ loss. You’re a great kid, got a big heart. Shouldn’t matter who you’re kissing.”
Mike stares at the back of Hopper’s shirt, eyes burning until he pushes his knuckles against them and wills the tears to dry up. Hopper doesn’t say anything about it as he steps inside.
“C’mon. I’ll make you Eggos.”
A tiny smile spreads on Mike’s face. “Can I have a beer too?”
Hopper nudges Mike’s head and makes him laugh as he swings the door closed.
“Don’t push your luck.”