Mike wheeler one-shots

Why Do You Care?

All credits go to BewitchingNotes

Mike doesn't understand why Hopper cares so much about El's dating life, since his own parents never cared about his or Nancy's.
TW:IMPLIED CHILD ABUSE

"I don't understand, what's wrong with Nana?" Mike questioned with worry as he got in the car with Hopper.

Hopper couldn't take it anymore and all but fumed. "NOTHING. THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH NANA!"

"What?" Mike asked in disbelief, unsure of why he was even being driven home at all.

Letting out a deep breath, Hopper continued, not looking at him. "But there's something very wrong with this...thing, between you and El."

Mike stared at him in confusion for a moment, before beginning to scowl as the dots connected. "You lying piece of shit!" He hissed, trying to leave the car.

But Hopper was unbothered and merely hit the lock key every time Mike tried to unlock the door, keeping him trapped inside.

"YOU'RE CRAZY!" Mike snapped, turning to glare at him.

But this time Hopper met his gaze, looking furious. "You wanna see real crazy?" He started darkly, making Mike tense. "Disrespect me again."

When Mike kept silent, he continued. "Here's what's gonna happen. I'm gonna drive you home, and I'm gonna...speak. And you're going to listen. And maybe, maybe by the end of it, maybe if you're lucky, I will allow you to continue to date my daughter."

He looked over at Mike, who was impossibly tense. "NOD IF YOU UNDERSTAND!" Mike nodded instantly.

Hopper started the car and began to drive. "Good. Now, first off, your attitude towards me was completely unacceptable back at the cabin. Whispering to her in front of me, joking about being in trouble, you didn't take me seriously at all and I was trying to discuss something important. Now look kid, I get it, you're a teenager, I was one too, but that's precisely why there needs to be some changes. You and El need to have your own lives, you can't spend every single second together, it's not healthy for either of you, nor is it safe. Your...hormones," He nearly gagged at the word. "Are all over the place and I'm not going to let you hurt El, do you understand me? Until you prove to me that you understand respect, I don't want you around her so much."

When Mike didn't say anything, he reluctantly spoke up. "You can speak now as long as you keep your tone calm."

Mike let out a shaky breath. "I just...don't understand...why you care."

"Why I care- did you seriously just ask me that?" Hopper sneered, glancing over at him briefly.

"It has nothing to do with you!" Mike snapped. "It's not your relationship, what do you care what we do in it?"

Hopper took a moment to remind himself to remain calm. "Because, she's my daughter. And I will warn you Wheeler, if you even dare to mutter the words 'she's not actually your daughter' to me, I'm going to pull this car over and-"

"I know she's your daughter." Mike frowned. "That's my point."

Hopper raised a questioning eyebrow.

Mike glanced out the window. "My parents...never cared who Nancy and I dated."

This got Hopper's attention, he remained silent and let him continue.

"I mean, Nancy was dating Steve back when he was like the biggest douche on the planet, and I know they were having sex. My dad never batted an eye and my mom only questioned her a little. It was never, I mean it wasn't a big deal." He shrugged.

Hopper's grip on the steering wheel tightened.

"...Do you think I'm gonna be like my dad?" Mike asked hesitantly. "Like I'll get mad and..." He felt nauseous. "Hit her?"

Hopper stopped the car in an instant, so hard it tossed Mike forward, making him choke out a gasp from the impact of the seatbelt.

He looked over to see Hopper rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Fuck." He hissed.

Mike's eyes widened. "...Sir?" He started hesitantly.

"God, I thought I was dealing with an idiot teenager. This is so much worse." He grumbled.

Mike opened his mouth to say something, confusion written all over his face, but Hopper beat him to it.

"Okay, scratch everything I said, let's try this again," Hopper huffed. "I care about El, I love her as my daughter and I don't want to see her get hurt, not psychically, but emotionally." He took a moment to think over his words. "Teenagers do dumb things, kid. Hormones fly out of control and you do things without even really thinking them through. Like you're..." He cringed. "In the moment," He settled on in a knowing tone so Mike would get the message. "And suddenly you've gone all the way without even realizing you did it. Or you're angry at someone and before you know it you're beating the crap out of each other. It happens, you've seen it."

Mike nodded hesitantly.

"El's been through enough pain for a lifetime, and maybe it's unrealistic to wish that she's never sad again, but I just...want to protect her, from anything and everything, including you." He sighed a little. "It's not cause I think you're bad or something, I actually think you're a pretty great kid," He admitted, which caused Mike's eyes to widen in surprise. "But it's just...what a parent does. They fret over their kids and just try to help them however they can."

Mike looked down at his lap at this, eyebrows furrowed.

Hopper continued. "Your parents should have cared. It's their job to teach you respect, and how to be safe. They should've done that for you, and it's fucked up that they didn't, kid."

Mike looked back over at him, mildly stunned.

A small smile formed on Hopper's lips. "So...let's make a deal. You go home, and you talk to your sister, Steve and Robin about this stuff, even if it's awkward or uncomfortable." He sighed. "And...I'll try to ease up on you when you mess up, alright?"

Mike was silent for a moment, thinking over Hopper's words.

And then,

"Can I keep dating El?"

Hopper let out a chuckle against his will. "You're a cheeky kid, you know that?"

Mike merely laughed in response.

"...Yes," Hopper conceded. "But I'm serious about having some distance, and educating yourself on respect and...safety." He quickly added, "BUT JUST BECAUSE YOU LEARN ABOUT SAFETY DOESN'T MEAN YOU GET TO DO ANYTHING ELSE!"

Mike just grinned. "Got it."

A silence fell over them, but it was content.

"...Just so you know," Mike started softly. "I would never lay a hand on El for anything, and if I did...I'd probably want you to kill me at that point."

Hopper hummed. "I think I can guarantee that." He teased, making Mike smile. "But I don't think it'll ever happen. Like I said," He smiled. "You're a good kid."

Mike glanced out the window again, a warm feeling formed in his chest.