Chapter Text
July 3rd 1989
Mike Wheeler was known for being melancholy and as Max lamented, “a delight to be around.” It wasn’t his fault that he was more often sad than not, but these past few months have been suffocating. Since March he’s been moving through life in a haze. He could barely function. He missed four days of school before his Mom forced him to go again. His friends seemed to be handling it better than him now that they’d graduated. Now all they were talking about is throwing one last huge party to celebrate the fourth before they all left for college. He couldn’t really bring himself to rally and so he was rotting in his bed as usual, staring at the pictures on the wall from four summers before. July 1985 had been an insane one, looking back he was surprised that the Party handled everything so well without the help they had had to defeat Vecna, or Henry or whatever. At least then he had El. The phone on his desk rang urgently demanding him to rejoin the world beyond his room. He stumbled out of bed, and roughly yanked it out of the bed, holding it to his ear. “Yeah,” he grumbled lowly. “Mike. Finally! Dude, what’s the deal? You haven’t replied to Dustin or me at all lately and we’re trying to finalize these party details. Dustin is saying that Steve will let us use his place–” Mike rubbed his temples tiredly pushing his glasses to the side in doing so, he’d recently gotten the prescription as his vision had worsened as a result of the military chaos and the air in the Upside Down, he was still growing used to them. “Seriously, Lucas? That’s why you needed to call?” Lucas scoffed and Mike could see his lips turning into a concerned scowl. “Uh yeah. Dustin’s been planning for weeks. Seriously, what's your deal? You good? You sound rough.” Mike shifted uncomfortably, feeling Lucas’ scrutinizing through the phone. “I’m fine.” “Yeah you sound like the definition of it too. If there’s something you need to talk about–” Mike knew he was trying, he knew he was being stubborn and insufferable and everyone hated being around him. He knew they were going the extra mile trying to include him when he’d isolated himself so much. He had to make an effort too, it just felt like wading through wet concrete to talk about her. And he knew he’d just make Lucas feel awkward in doing so.
“I promise I’m okay.” He lied through his teeth, hoping Lucas would finally drop it. “Okay.” The boy in question replied, sounding wholly unconvinced. “Anyway, I wanted to run the list of those invited by you. Obviously the Party is going to be there. But Erica wanted to come and bring a friend. Then Steve is going to be there once he’s off work,” “They’re making him work on the 4th?” Mike interrupted incredulously. “Yeah, I know it’s crazy. Anyway, he and Robin are a combined package and Robin’s bringing that new girl she and Steve’ve been hanging with. Nancy and Jonathan are coming…” He trailed off then, and Mike realized there was something he wasn’t saying. “What?” He sighed exasperated. “What? What?” Lucas feigned cluelessly. “What’re you not telling me?” He heard Lucas shift his weight and he heard the ruffling of his hands likely fiddling with a Rubix cube or something, he fiddled his hands when nervous. A habit he hadn’t been able to kick since they were kids. “Uh nothing, just uh, Will was planning on inviting Chance.” Mike stiffened, grinding his teeth. He had to fight to unlock his jaw, the irritative reflex was habitual. Mike’s body locked up instinctively at the mention of that blowhard, brainless, jock that Will had been hanging out with as of late. He couldn’t stand it, or comprehend it. How someone like Chance Ramíres would want to ever associate himself with someone like Will Byers, and the Party. Or how someone as kind and smart and funny and creative as Will would want to hang out with Chance. And yet…
“Mike?” He realized Lucas was calling his name, he flushed. Unaware of how long he’d been trying to get his attention. “Yeah?” “Are you good? You zoned out there for a minute. You’re cool with Chance being there right? You’re not going to act weird?”
The whole Party had once thought that Will’s liking to Chance was odd. They’d never really affiliated themselves with athletes, sans Lucas for obvious reasons, and so they all initially iced the guy out. But he’d slowly woven his way into their good graces, and now he was regularly invited to group hang-outs once it was confirmed he was not as much of a “shithead jock,” as the others, as Max had put it. “No, I’m not going to act weird, Lucas.” “Okay, because we all know you hate his guts. But please don’t kill anyone’s vibe. For Will’s sake. This is his first fourth of July without…” Lucas cut himself off, his breathing becoming slightly unsteady. He cleared his throat. “You get my point.” Mike nodded before remembering he couldn’t see him, “Uh yeah, I get it.” “Awesome, I’ll see you tomorrow at Steve’s at seven. Do you need to be picked up or..?”
“No, I’m good. I’ll bike.” Mike actually had a car of his own, it was a piece of shit, but he loved it. He’d gotten it on his eighteenth birthday. It had felt more like a pity gift since El had… disappeared, weeks before. He couldn’t really bring himself to use it other than to drive to school or if his friends begged him to drive them somewhere. He usually left it in the garage.
“Cool, bye Mike.”
“Bye-”
The receiver clicked and Mike was left with his words hanging on the tip of his tongue. He let out a long breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. The whole conversation had felt tense and forced, like Dustin had demanded Lucas call him and satiate him into coming. God, tomorrow was going to suck.
July 3rd, 1989 – 10pm
“Hey Mom,” Mike mumbled a greeting, slinking into the kitchen before she went to bed. Karen stood straight and looked at him, smiling gently. “What’s up, hon?” Mike shifted on his feet. It shouldn’t feel so awkward to ask his mom for permission to hang out with his friends, but she’d been wary ever since the military, and the Eddie stuff. Rightfully so, in his mind, but still ever since El, Mike had basically become a reclusive hermit. He rarely went out. And so Karen had been very eager to urge him to visit with his friends and have a “normal” senior year these past few months. Whatever that meant. “I was um, wondering if I could go over to Steve’s place tomorrow at 7? The Party is having a, uh, party.” He found himself bumbling awkwardly for lack of better words. “Steve Harrington?” “Yeah, Mom.” “Alright sounds good, as long as you’re back by 11.” She’d been adamant on curfew for both him, and Nancy ironically, since the whole government shut-down. Still, Nancy got to stay out till 1am. “Mom, can I please stay till midnight? Steve will drive me home.” He probably would, if Mike asked him to, probably. Steve never really seemed to like him much.
Karen sighed, and looked to the ceiling like she was asking a higher power to help her weigh it over. “I guess, but you better be home on the dot. I mean it, Michael. If you’re not in your room by midnight I swear–” Mike leaned forward, gently hugging her to stop her from spiraling.
“I will! I will, Mom, I promise. Thank you.”
She tightened her arms around him and he heard her mumble how grown up he was getting and how old she felt, he leaned into it, he didn’t hug her too often anymore. He eventually slunk out of her embrace and stumbled upstairs. Tomorrow was going to be miserable, he thought as he fell into his bed.
July 1st, 1985
“Are you sure this is safe?” Eleven hesitated, nervousness coating her words like cough syrup. She was holding two sparklers, her arms ramrod straight as she eyed the fiery sparks warily.
“It’s 100% safe El, don’t worry.” Lucas assured her, voice as giddy as a kid in a candy store. He’d always had an affinity for fireworks. “Yeah, and a hundred percent illegal.” Max murmured, rolling her eyes. She wasn’t wrong, they were atop of the hill Dustin had used to hail Suzie from, albeit unsuccessfully, much to his dismay. But Max was smiling begrudgingly, shifting closer to watch Lucas yammer passionately about the science behind fireworks. Dustin chimed in occasionally describing the physics. “Remind me why we’re doing this on the first again?” Will asked teasingly. “Because Will, the fireworks go on sale today and we’re going to see the town show at the fair on the 4th.” Lucas chirped for the millionth time that day since the early morning when he’d radioed everyone the idea, his tone was almost scolding. “Oh duh! How could I possibly forget?” Will rolled his eyes dramatically and held his forehead sticking his tongue out at Mike, causing him to stifle a laugh. Will’s eyes sparkled mischievously and they shared a smile at Lucas’ scoffs and yowls of irritation. He lamented how serious the matter was, faux hurt as Max comforted him through giggles. Dustin and El were talking as he gestured animatedly to the firework Lucas had set up and they guided El to lighting it, which she did with excessive caution. As soon as the match met the rope she blew it out and scampered over to Mike, clinging to his shoulder and whooping and squealing as it shot off. Mike rubbed her back and watched her face light up in wonder at the blue, yellow, and red that danced across the sky. Doing it at 8pm on July first didn’t do it justice, but it was still a sight to watch El experience something he grew up on for the first time.
Everyone else was cheering appreciatively, Max and Lucas hugging, Dustin clapping and Will cheering with his hands cupped around his mouth, sparks reflecting in his bright eyes. It made Mike happy to see Will so relaxed and happy. He didn’t smile much as he used to, ever since that November and then this past fall, his usual glow had dimmed, but here in the evening dusk of mid-July he glowed. Will caught his eye, and Mike flushed slightly at being caught looking. He was thankful for the dark. ‘Isn’t it incredible?’ He mouthed, grinning. Mike nodded, mouth aching from returning his easy grin.
El squeezed his arm tighter and kissed his cheek as she watched the fireworks light up the night. Mike hugged her tighter, feeling light. “I hope every night is just like this.” She whispered, assured and carefree. He turned his gaze up, wishing he could see through her eyes. Another firework shot off, lighting their faces up. “Me too.” He whispered back, so low he was sure she didn’t hear him.
They’d all been so sure. Of course it was only false comfort. The worst was far yet to come. But in that moment, they all felt infinite. El turned her face up to him, leaning in with a small, soft smile. He tilted his head down to meet hers–
BAM!
Mike shot up, disoriented and half-awake. He’d been expecting the sound of his alarm but instead there was insistent thumping on his door. He blinked sleep from his eyes, the fragments of his dream fading away with the morning light. It wasn’t 1985. El wasn’t here. It was a dream. He could feel himself deflating at the realization. Before he could wallow a moment longer, another series of thumps echoed. He groaned and held his head. “WHAT?! Holly, if that’s you I swear to–”
The door slammed open and he yelped, grabbing his covers in a feeble attempt to shield himself, half expecting Holly to shout that he shouldn’t curse and she was going to tell Mom. The last person he expected to see was–
“RISE AND SHIIIINNEEE!”
“Max?!”
Her orange hair was cascading down her back like a waterfall of flame. She was grinning wide and sinisterly. Too excited to be a pain in his ass for it to be, he glanced at his clock, NINE AM?! He groaned and threw himself back onto his mattress, not caring that he was only in boxers and a tank. “Why the hell are you here at nine in the morning? Better question, why are you awake?”
She strutted into the room, ignoring him completely and yanking his blinds open with a bravado he didn’t think he’d ever be able to imitate. “The real question is, why the hell are you still sleeping Wheeler? You’re wasting the day away!” Mike shoved his head under his pillow to escape her shrill voice. She snatched it, and leaned down to smirk at him, “Why’re you running from the day? This incredible day that celebrates the white men who stole this land?” She pushed his legs to the side, his protests falling on deaf ears as she sat down on the end of his bed. Crossing her legs, she leaned her chin into her hands, “Are you avoiding us, Michael?” She pouted dramatically. “Do you hate me that much?”
He scowled at her, wholly unamused. “Yes.” She clutched her chest dramatically, “You’re breaking my heart over here!” He pulled his legs to his chest, resting his chin on his knees.
“What do you want?” “I want you to get your smelly ass in the shower and to join the land of the living. We’re having breakfast at the Diner.” “The one Steve’s working at?” “Well of course. How else are we supposed to harass our favorite employee?” Mike slumped his face into his knees, hiding his amusement. “I’m sure he’s going to be delighted to see us.” He replied.
“Exactly! And what better way to celebrate this country than by making the rich white man miserable? I mean, he’s working class now! How the mighty have fallen.”
Mike betrayed himself by snickering. She hit him with a pillow. And he glanced up catching her smiling. “Don’t laugh too hard Wheeler, birds of a feather.”
He eventually stood, purposefully making her fall by pulling his legs out from under her. She huffed and he busied himself with digging through his closet to hide his amusement. He grabbed a dark red shirt and pulled it on, grabbing a pair of jeans and smelling them, nodding when they smelled decent and tugging them on. He stumbled to his sock drawer and dug out a pair of black socks. He glanced at himself in the mirror feeling very patriotic but in a sort of depressed way. Fitting. He glanced at the few rings he’d collected or been gifted that sat in his drawer, and slipped on the plain silver band he’d gotten for his sixteenth birthday that had ‘paladin’ inscribed on it. He turned to Max begrudgingly and she nodded approvingly. “Put on some deodorant and that cologne I made Jane buy you.” Mike tried not to react to her name and nodded. He was honestly too tired to feel thrown by Max talking about her so casually. She’d been suffering like him for the longest it seemed, but even she’d managed to climb out of the hole, whereas he couldn’t seem to put the shovel down for.
Once Max decided he was decent, they made their way downstairs greeting his Mom as they went, and getting into his car per Max’s request. They stopped by Lucas’ and picked him up, Mike turning up The Cure CD playing as they drove to Dustin’s. Max and Lucas chattered in the backseat and Mike tried to ignore them or else he’d feel the pit in his stomach widen. Dustin slid into the passenger seat and he raised his brow, “Aren’t we picking up Will?” He asked, glancing back at Max in confusion. She suddenly looked uncomfortable, which was a rare sight to see, she shifted and glanced at Lucas. Mike raised an expectant brow, waiting for an explanation. Dustin cleared his throat and he glanced to meet his sheepish face. “Will’s riding with Chance, he said he’d meet us there.” Mike blinked, processing. That was a new development. Since when were those two so cozy? Will was accepting rides from him now? He ground his teeth. Don’t freak out. Play it cool. Play it cool. “Cool.” He muttered, turning the ignition key with a little more force than necessary, realizing his grip on the steering wheel had been ironclad. He flexed his muscles as he shifted the car into drive. Turning the radio up mutely. The chattering resumed awkwardly as the others discussed plans for the fall, Mike tried to ignore them to not feel any sort of panic. He was already completely thrown by the start of this day. He wasn’t sure how he was going to be able to keep it together at the diner. He tapped his fingers along to In Between Days as they neared Main. He could do this; he could be normal. He’d do it for her.
They pulled into the driveway of the diner and he parked. Everyone hopped out, and he heard a voice so familiar, it was engraved into his brain at this point, call out, “Hey guys!” He turned his head to see Will walking towards them smiling brightly in… was that Chance’s letterman?! Mike stiffened, his hands tightening by his sides. What. The. Fuck. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and glanced at Max who mouthed, ‘Be. Cool.’ He swallowed hard and glanced back to the circus in front of him. He felt delirious, maybe he was still dreaming. The duo neared them, and Will continued, “Looks like we got here at the perfect time!” Then, the devil in question seemed to spawn out of nowhere. “Hey y’all, thanks for inviting us.” You mean you, asshole. It’s just you. Will’s a part of the Party. He doesn’t need an invite, he’s welcome by default. Mike silently grit his teeth together, biting his cheek to stay silent. This dick had the audacity to cozy up beside Will, looking entirely too comfortable as he slid his arm around his shoulders. And, was Will blushing!? Mike blinked, but Will looked perfectly comfortable chattering away with Dustin and Lucas. He had to be dreaming. “Shall we head on in?” Dustin asked, everyone agreed easily and Mike stumbled into step behind them. He watched Will like a hawk as he leaned into Chance, who whispered something that had Will giggling. Oh yeah, he was definitely not making it through today. Thanks for nothing, fucking Founding Fathers.