All I See Is You [mileven]

Pain of the past pt 2

"Hopper you can't be serious right now?!" Mike yelled, causing El to come running through from her room.

"What's going on?" she asked in her quiet voice while nervously playing with her hands.

"This absolute genius thinks that you should keep going to school." Mike said, not even turning to face El so he could give Hopper a death stare.

"Wheeler let me explain." Hopper rubbed his nose, trying not to yell back at the boy. "If she stops going to school it's going to look suspicious okay?"

"But-" Mike tried to argue but Hopper cut him off.

"Look, we'll just make sure someone is with her at all times. You're practically stuck to her side anyway." Hopper said, gesturing to Mike with a slight smirk on his face.

"But what if something happens? Last time I checked I don't have any powers or know how to use a gun." Mike's tone came out way too sarcastic for Hoppers liking.

"I don't think your family would appreciate me teaching you how to use a gun or any kind of weapon for that matter so that's not an option" Hopper crossed his arms.

"I don't care what they think. I have to protect her." His voice broke as the image of her getting taken away from him entered his mind.

"We can't do anything suspicious, that'll only draw more attention. Just keep an eye out for something and go about as normal but make sure she is never alone, not even for two seconds. Got it?" Hopper stepped forward, towering over the boy.

Mike nodded, suppressing the urge to lash out at Hopper for his ridiculous plan. But he knew that would just get him in Hopper's bad books and that's the last thing he needs.

The next few hours were as normal as they could've been, Mike never leaving El's side as they cuddled on her bed and listened to music. El had fallen asleep a while ago on Mike's chest and he was mindlessly playing with her golden curls, staring up at the celling and trying not to cry. All he could think about was her, losing her and that thought broke him. He was forming his own plan in his head, he was not just going to wait for someone to try and kidnap El. What kind of plan is that?

A few more minutes went by and Mike lowered his gaze to El. Taking in her features and enjoying the way she felt in his arms. His thoughts were interrupted by a light knock on El's bedroom door.

"Hey kid. Can we talk?" Hopper whispered.

Without replying Mike slowly removed his arm from underneath El and gradually got off the bed, quietly exiting the room and closing the door. He walked into the living room, Hopper was pacing around but stopped as soon as he caught sight of the young boy staring at him from the hallway.

"Are you okay?" Mike asked awkwardly, he never really knew how to talk to Hopper. Probably because he's scary as fuck.

"I have a plan." Hopper said.

"Yeah I know and it was terrible, we can't-"

Hopper cut him off, "no not that plan, another one, a real one."

Mike looked at him confused, he opened his mouth to speak when Hopper spoke up again.

"I only made up that shitty plan because I didn't want to worry El. Also the less people that know the better." Hopper whispered in case El was awake. "Flo has given me all the information about the new people in town. She said that a middle aged man has just moved into a small house not too far from here and got a job at the school. She also said that she's seen him around town before, driving the Hawkins Power and Light vans."