reflections - mileven au.

thirteen.

✧

mike tossed and turned in his bed, trapped in the clutches of his recurring nightmares. the darkness enveloped him, making him feel like he was choking. he was losing el in his dream. she died, and mike was left alone. ever since he almost lost his little sister many years ago, and how he left el for a while years ago, he had a constant fear of losing her.

a gasp escaped his lips as he jolted awake, heart racing, sweat beading on his forehead. he sat up, trying to steady his breathing, but the images lingered, clinging to his mind like cobwebs in an abandoned house.

"mike?" a soft voice called from the doorway, barely louder than a whisper. el stood there, her silhouette bathed in the dim light filtering through the curtains.

he managed a weak smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "hey," he rasped, his voice rough from his fear of losing her.

eleanor padded across the room, her steps almost soundless on the carpet. she sat down beside him, her presence a comforting warmth against the chill that still gripped him.

"another nightmare?" she asked gently, her hand finding his in the darkness.

mike nodded, unable to find the words. he squeezed her hand, seeking solace in her touch. (haha, you see what pjo reference i left there 😏-)

eleanor scooted closer, her arm slipping around his shoulders. "it's okay," she murmured, her voice a soothing balm. "you're safe here, with me." she kissed his forehead.

he leaned into her, resting his head on her shoulder. her fingers traced absentminded patterns on his arm, a silent reassurance that she was there, that they were here, together.

they sat like that for a while, in the quiet of the night, the only sound their soft breathing and the occasional rustle of sheets. gradually, the grip of fear loosened its hold on mike's chest, replaced by the steady rhythm of eleanor's presence.

"thank you," he whispered eventually, his voice barely audible in the stillness.

eleanor pressed a kiss to his forehead, a feather-light touch. "anytime," she replied, her words a promise whispered against his skin.

*

days passed in the city, each one bringing a slow unfurling of summer. the sun cast a golden hue over the neighborhood as mike and el bonded their way through lazy afternoons and stolen moments.

they spent their time at the arcade, the familiar neon lights and the buzz of excitement filling the air around them. mike's hand found eleanor's effortlessly, their fingers intertwining as they competed in their favorite games. "haha ! i won !" mike would exclaim, making el roll her eyes. and then she would beat him. "wow, what do people call it again ? girlboss ! slay queenn!" mike joked around.

afterwards, they wandered through the park, feet kicking up dust on the well-worn paths. they found a secluded spot beneath a sprawling oak tree eleanor leaned against the trunk, mike sat beside her, their shoulders brushing in silence.

"remember a few years ago, on the day of the assembly ?" mike asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

eleanor smiled, her eyes sparkling with fond memories. "how could i forget? you spilled your slushie all over me."

mike chuckled, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "yeah, not my finest moment."

"but, hey, i love you." eleanor said softly, her gaze meeting his. "and i wouldn't change a thing." she kissed his forehead.

they sat there for hours, sharing dreams and fears, secrets and hopes. the world around them seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the two of them in their own private universe.

as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange, they made their way back home to mike's apartment. fingers still intertwined, they walked side by side, their steps in sync with the beat of their hearts.

sometimes, mike wondered what life would be without her, he couldn't last a day without her, what about a life time ? but el changed all that, that 'if' would never occur in this world.

she was his, he was hers. and there was nothing he'd do to change that.

✧

a/n : im back ?? i hope i am. i really do. i'm really busy with work and i have a hard time sleeping. and i met walker at comic con !! and now i flex to kat that i'm taller than him by 3ish inches. and he's doing such a good job at acting like if i act my show/movie would look satire 😭. and i also noticed ppl on the internet s3xal!z!ng him, bro he's 15 leave him tf alone, it's disgusting. and now im part of the lpp, wpp and app <3 also i just got back into my pjo era !! i remember reading tlt in 2015 lmao. and omg the bts of st5 !! AHH WHY DID THEY DROP IT ON A RANDOM MONDAY I HAD TO WATCH IT ON TUESDAY :CC. anyways, igtg rn. love you all sm <333  love, lanah. (ravi's version.)