Oneshots // Stranger Things cast // IT cast

Time

-and doesn't it break your heart how fast time tore us apart-

"So, Caleb McLaughlin, it's been ten years since your big break. How does it feel being one of the most respected actors in Hollywood right now?" Caleb smiled at the camera like he had for the past ten years. "It's amazing but I always make sure to stay grounded, you know, remember where I'm from and who I am. There's actually a quote, well a lyric, that I live by. It's 'you are what you love, not who loves you' and I think that's a very important thing to remember." The interviewer nodded, writing a few things down. "And how will you be spending the ten-year anniversary of the release of Stranger Things season one?" Caleb's smile faltered slightly. "I-I don't know. I guess I'm just gonna stay in with my daughter and eat pizza and watch some movies. I hadn't really thought of it yet."

-July 15th, 2026-

"Hope, baby, get up!" Caleb knocked on her door, getting a groan in reply. "It's time for school, honey." He could hear her get up. "Can I just skip today, dad?" He chuckled, typical. "I'll get in trouble." The door opened and she stepped out with her hair still sticking in all directions. Caleb had adopted Hope only three months earlier. She was 14 years old, both of her parents had died in a shootout, caught in the crossfire. She survived but only barely, needing a new kidney and losing control over her left arm. Luckily she was right-handed. She was giving him a death stare that sent him back years, reminding him so much of Millie. "Can I have my phone back now, dad?" She asked, already pulling her earbuds out of her pocket. That small gesture made him see Finn for a second instead of her. Always listening to music, like it was heroine and they were addicted. He handed her her phone and she quickly checked her notifications. She brushed past him, standing in front of the bathroom mirror trying to fix her hair. She gave up after a few minutes, throwing her hands in the air, just like Gaten always did when something didn't go the way he wanted it to. That mostly applied to his hair. She ended up just running a hand through it, basically running downstairs. "Dad! Your bacon is burnt!" She yelled from downstairs. Caleb refused to get a cook or any help other than a maid. "I'll just get a Clif Bar and eat that!" She yelled. "Heat it up in the microwave first, that makes it even better!" He yelled back, thinking of Sadie. He walked down the stairs, entering the kitchen only to find Hope scrolling through some form of social media while taking small bites from her Clif Bar. There was a familiarity in the way she laughed when she saw a funny post and he saw Noah, sitting at a breakfast table, reading scripts while eating Clif Bars.

Once she'd left for school he grabbed his phone and created a new grouptext.

*Caleb started a chat*
*Caleb added Finn, Gaten, Noah, Millie, Sadie*

Caleb: we should meet up today