Chapters: 1/17
Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016)
Rating: Mature
Warnings: Major Character Death
Relationships: Will Byers/Mike Wheeler, Maxine "Max" Mayfield & Mike Wheeler, Will Byers & Eleven | Jane Hopper, Minor or Background Relationship(s)
Characters: Will Byers, Mike Wheeler, Henry Creel | One | Vecna, Ted Wheeler, Eleven | Jane Hopper, Dustin Henderson, Lucas Sinclair, Maxine "Max" Mayfield, Nancy Wheeler, Jonathan Byers, Joyce Byers, Jim "Chief" Hopper, Karen Wheeler
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Inspired by Midnight Mass (TV), Catholic Imagery, Bible Quotes (Abrahamic Religions), Religious Imagery & Symbolism, Religious Horror, Catholicism, Small Towns, The Party Friendship (Stranger Things), Teacher Mike Wheeler, Siblings Will Byers & Eleven | Jane Hopper, Psychological Horror, Past Suicide Attempts, Past Drug Use, Ted Wheeler is Important (for once), Disabled Maxine "Max" Mayfield, Internalized Homophobia, Aged-Up Character(s), Will Byers Needs a Hug, Mike Wheeler Has Religious Trauma, Religious Guilt, Catholic Guilt
Summary:
Here, weeks go by at an imperceptible rate, each one the same. Without St. Dymphnaâs, the church situated at the center of Hawkinsâ downtown, time may not even pass. With little seasonal variation, the only indicator of the time of year is the state of the church. The color of the Monsignorâs vestments, the decorations inside, and what gospel is read that Sunday. The church is not just the physical center of Hawkins, it is Hawkins. It is the heart â the soul â of the town. Without it, Hawkins may justâŠstop. It keeps everything ticking, marking time and space, keeping Hawkins inside its little bubble, locking everything away. Itâs always been that way. It always will be that way.
When Will Byers returns to Hawkins after a deadly house fire, he finds his once quiet Catholic town turned upside down by the arrival of a young new priest, Father Henry Brenner.
