𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐈 𝐆𝐎 - 𝐵𝑌𝐿𝐸𝑅

Want Me of Your Back

MIKE

"So we all know the plan?" Hopper asks, staring at each teen individually. Steve's bat is over his shoulder with a gas tank on his back, Dustin matching on his left while Lucas bares a crowbar and his bulging backpack. Nancy and Robin both hold guns, the latter of which being a shotgun she purchased earlier. Then there's Joyce and Jonathan, both with guns and Jonathan having an ax attached to his jeans. Hopper has a goddamn sword jankly sheathed on his back. No shit.

Then there's Mike, a handgun in his belt and a crowbar through his jean loop. He feels a bit ridiculous, and heavy, bur Nancy insisted.

"We know, Dad." Joyce rolls her eyes, but she approaches Hopper before pulling him in for a hug. That's how it starts, Lucas and Max exchanging one of their own. Nancy grabs Mike, ruffling his hair but wrapping an arm around his shoulders.

"Be safe asshole." She whispers into his wild hair, kissing it just like mom, and he pulls away and pretends to be disgusted.

Steve shoves his shoulder with a grin, Mike rolls his eyes. Dustin and Lucas pull him into a hug too, the three of them holding on tight enough to hurt. "Whatever happens, I want you guys to know I'm glad it was you guys I'm going through this with." Dustin sniffs, head againsy Mike's shoulder.

"Me too. No matter what, this party was the best thing to ever happen to me." The three pull back, lucas' eyes wet with tears as he smiles brightly. "And we're going to get Will back, because without him... we aren't the true party."

"We'll get him back. I'm not leaving him behind- never again." The boys- no, teens- exchange a look. There's too much emotion in their eyes to describe, fear and love all mangled into one. Mike's look says we can do this. Lucas' eyes read I love you guys. Dustin's screamed this isn't goodbye.

"Alright. Let's go." They pull away, each boy battling with different emotions. Mike's palms sweat and he rubs them against his jeans, joining Joyce and Jonathan across the lawn. The two share grim expressions before the mom pats Mike's shoulder lovingly.

"We'll bring him home, Mike." She smiles reassuringly, and Mike finds surprising comfort in her words. His thoughts won't stop straying to Will, to that fear he feels clenching in his gut at the thought of what he must be going through. What vecna must be doing to him.

"Alright, everybody keep your radios on and don't deviate from the plan." Hopper's voice carries across the lawn. "We've only got a few hours, let's make it count." El makes her way across the grass to the Bylers and Mike, letting Joyce pull her into a quick hug.

"Be careful, sweetie." She patts her back. El nods, arms wrapped tightly around the older woman's frame. With a sniff, the two pull away from eachother and Joyce is clearly crying. El turns towards Mike, face firm.

Uh oh.

She takes a few steps until the two are barely inches away. The distance would make middle school Mike giddy, make his stomach flip in excitement. Now he just hopes she's planning to come back from this alive. And preferably not launch him across the yard for breaking up with her.

She tugs him into a bone crushing hug, his arms come up to circle her frame, relaxing into the familiar position. "Bring him back, Mike." She whispers. "You can save him." Mike's eyebrows dip in confusion when El pulls away, eyes searching her face for an explanation.

What does that mean? Only me? El's as ambiguous as ever.

"Time to move." Hopper calls, holding his wrist up. Mike gives El a meaningful look, not really feeling like he has to say anything at this point. They've been through this so much already anything he would say he already has.