Mike wheeler one-shots

he's not going to hurt you again

All credits to winchestered_again
TW:child abuse

mike goes to eddie after a bad encounter with his father

"He's not going to hurt you again."

Right now, Mike is sitting on the couch of Eddie Munson, the high school's resident "freak." Mike didn't really care how the other high schoolers thought of Eddie because Mike knew him better than the rest.

Eddie wasn't a terrible person. Quite the opposite, actually. Ever since Eddie had caught Mike walking out of Ms. Kelly's office, he'd been nothing but supportive. Not that Eddie wasn't before , but now he's actually looking after him, unlike Lucas, Max, and Dustin, who he'd mostly pushed away. The exception is Steve Harrington, who asks if he is okay so much that Mike snaps harshly at him when he asks now.

Eddie only sometimes asks Mike how he is doing outside of hellfire. He reminds Mike his door is always open. Surprisingly, Mike finds he can easily talk to the older senior about most things. Most.

That's why Mike is here so late now, bloody and bruised. He barely had time to grab a jacket, so the bruises on his neck and wrist were visible, along with the forming black eye and the cut on his forehead that Eddie had just cleaned.

"Eddie-"

Eddie sits up suddenly, and Mike flinches at the fast movement of Eddie's hands hitting his legs. Eddie mutters an apology. "Seriously, Mike. This can't keep happening."

Mike's scared reaction to his words must be obvious because Eddie backtracks.

"I don't want to keep seeing you get hurt," he clarifies, expression going soft. "I do care about you, Mike." This is the only time he uses Mike's first name. When they're alone. One of Eddie's hands moves from his leg to Mike's knee, letting Mike know he's there.

Mike pulls his knees up closer to his chest, wincing at the movement as Eddie's hand falls off his knee. "I can't- you can't tell anyone , Eddie. He'll-" Mike cuts off, utterly terrified by the idea. His father would kill him. He'd be dead . And will Nancy protect them after he is gone? Mike really didn't like the idea of her getting hurt because he wasn't there. Or anyone else taking the wrath of Ted Wheeler just because he can't handle it.

Mike had to be the punching bag. He had to keep everyone else safe. His following words say as much. "I can't let them get hurt. I can't let him-"

"You wouldn't be letting him," Eddie says, and Mike can't see Eddie's expression because he's staring at the ground. Eddie can't see Mike's expression very well, either. He knows.

Mike still can't do it. He doesn't even entertain the idea. Maybe coming here this time was a mistake.

"Just think about it, okay?"

Mike swallows at Eddie's words and nods, not really intending to think about it more but nodding so they can change the subject. "Can we just watch a movie or something?"

Eddie is looking at him sadly when Mike lifts his head up. Mike looks away again.

Eddie sighs. "Sure, kid."