004 , [ mike wheeler x f!reader ] ST5 FINISHED, UNDER EDITING

THE RIGHTSIDE UP P.1

THE RIGHTSIDE UP
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CHAPTER EIGHT

Hawkins, Indiana
NOVEMBER, 1987

MURRAY SLOWLY EASED THE TRUCK IN BY THE HAWKINS LAB. Gravel crunched beneath the tires as he brought it to a stop. He hopped out and headed to the back, pushing it open with a flourish.

"All right, lab rats, let's scurry up!"

"An entire dimension's about to come crashing down on our heads," Murray added with a grin, like this was just another mildly inconvenient road trip. Hopper climbed out first, boots hitting the ground hard. Kali followed, then Eleven. Y/n shifted, bracing her hands to stand—

"Hey,"

Mike's hand closed gently but firmly around her arm. The contact made her pause. She looked back at him, and his expression softened the second their eyes met, like the rest of the world had dropped away.

"Is everything okay?" He asked quietly. Y/n swallowed, "Y—Yeah" the word came out thin, but she nodded anyway, hoping the motion would convince him.

Mike studied her for a second longer, like he was trying to memorize her face. Then he spoke, voice low, steady—trying to make it steady. "Listen, I know this plan is totally mad,"

"And a million things have to go right, and a million things could and probably will go wrong." He gave a small, breathless laugh, then shook his head. "But we can do this. I know."

Y/n's chest tightened. She could already see it in him—the belief, the relief, the after. The version of tomorrow he was holding onto.

"One last fight" Mike continued, eyes shining. "And this whole nightmare.. it'll be over."

A beat.

"It'll finally be over."

Y/n nodded, even as something inside her cracked. Before she could overthink it, she leaned forward and pulled him into a hug, arms sliding around his neck, holding him like letting him go might break them both.

Mike's arms wrapped around her waist instantly, tight and protective, like he was anchoring her there. He rested his cheek against her hair, breathing her in. He knew something was off—he could feel it—but this wasn't the moment to push.

She'd tell him later. She always did. Right?

Y/n pulled back just enough to look at him. Her hands stayed fisted in his jacket as she closed her eyes, fighting the sting behind them. She leaned her forehead against his, their noses nearly touching.