Mileven Stories

The Black Hole (1998)

This is by far one of the most emotional one shots I have ever written. Once you have read it, please stick around and leave me with any feedback possible. I hope you all enjoy!
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Unexpected get togethers can often bring spontaneous joy into one's day. The random company can provide extreme warmth and unfiltered brightness that even the sun cannot dispense. On the contrary though, sometimes unplanned gatherings can have ulterior motives; which allows space for an obliterating black hole to appear.

The arrival of Hopper and Joyce at Mike and El's home was sudden. They often popped up out of the blue to come say hello or to drop by a surprise meal. However, it could be felt in their presence that this particular visit was not meant to be light hearted. Eleven realized this detail the moment she saw her mother's halfhearted smile. She also took notice of how entirely exhausted her father appeared, so she began to brace herself for what was about to be said.

In attempt to make light of them showing up, El chirped, "hey! We didn't know you were coming. Willow is with Jonathan and Nancy until seven, but you can wait until she comes back to say hello."

Willow, their almost two year old child, was spending the day with the married couple. It wasn't unlike Nancy and Jonathan to ask to spend time with their niece, so upon their request, Mike and Eleven happily obliged.

"We know, sweetie," Joyce confirmed before squeezing her daughter's shoulder, "let's go sit on the couch, there's something we want to talk with you two about."

Worry wept in the pit of El's stomach and only became worse when she looked at her father, who currently seemed to be avoiding her gaze.

Mike pulled his wife towards him protectively as his own anxiety began to boil. He helped her sit along side of him on the couch and let his hand rest on her thigh, serving as a silent reminder that he was here for her.

Once both couples were sat down facing each other, Joyce cleared her throat and shot a glare in her husband's direction. Hopper huffed, wiping his face in concerned frustration before he began talking.

"I just want you both to know that everything is going to be okay," Hopper swore in a sincere tone.

El, who was becoming more panicked as the seconds ticked by, piped up bitterly, "of course everything is going to be okay because nothing is going on. Everything is fine."

Hop's eyes glimmered with unshed tears and he smiled lightly in Mike's direction, "you two have always been a stubborn duo."

The burly man was stalling. Everyone in the room knew him well, which is why they understood that this was his way of sugarcoating something that would shatter any existing tranquility that remained within the room.

Joyce interlaced her hand with her husband's much larger one and lowly spoke, "go on. It will be okay, but don't drag this out. Just say it."

Hopper rolled his eyes, knowing that his wife's insight was right. He had hidden the truth and the arrangements that were being made from his daughter for the past month. He did not leave her out to be cruel, but to spare her of the hardship she was about to be introduced to.

"I haven't touched a cigarette since the day you turned sixteen, Ellie," Hop recalled, getting choked up just looking at his grown up daughter, "I remember that was all you wanted for your birthday that year because you told me you wanted me to live forever."

Hopper had to take a full stop in attempt of ceasing the sobs that were internally pummeling his chest. And as he took a this brief moment of silence; El acknowledged how she could feel everything, yet nothing all at once. She knew what her father had to say was going to break her heart, but in that exact second, the only thing she could physically feel was Mike's anxiously shaking leg.