An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 15/?
Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016)
Rating: Mature
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Eleven | Jane Hopper/Mike Wheeler
Characters: Mike Wheeler, Eleven | Jane Hopper
Additional Tags: Post-Canon, Post-Canon Fix-It, Angst with a Happy Ending, Mike Wheeler Needs a Hug, Eleven | Jane Hopper Needs a Hug, Reunions, Three Waterfalls (Stranger Things), in which the author is not coping well, not the post-canon fic she wanted to write, Sexual Content
Summary:
El runs and she keeps running until she’s about as far away from home as she figures she can get. And as the years go by, she manages to carve out a peaceful sort of existence. It’s not a happy life, but she’s content with the knowledge that the loved ones she left behind are safe and happy.
But while Mike’s safe, he’s not happy, not by a long shot. He’s living a half-life, living under the shadow of the love he lost… of the love he knows is still out there, somewhere, waiting for him to find her.
And when Mike finally has enough of surviving without living and embarks on an aimless journey to find her, El knows her days of isolation are behind her. Because the longer Mike tries to search for her, the more attention he brings to himself and the more likely he’ll put himself in danger. So she leaves a trail of breadcrumbs to guide him to her, as always willing to do anything to keep him safe.
And when they reunite in the sleepy village El has learned to call home, they’ll learn if they can move past the shadow of the history they share… and if they can rediscover the love that once shone brighter than the sun.
It’s like they’re existing in a bubble, a peaceful, contented space where nothing bad can touch them, where it’s just the two of them and the history they share. Mike never wants to leave; if he could exist in this space with El for the rest of his life, he would die a happy man.
And then El gives him a soft, sleepy smile, disarming in how open it is. “Hi,” she says, voice barely above a whisper.
Mike gulps and lets out a shaky sigh. “Hi,” he returns, just as quiet. His heart is beginning to speed up in his chest, each beat thumping harder and harder against his ribcage. But Mike can’t even begin to figure out how to control it, so he doesn’t try.
Neither of them look away, staring at each other across the scant inches that separate them, the space between them heavy and thrumming with an energy so thick, it’s palpable. And then, after a moment that feels like it drags on forever, they move. Mike’s not sure if he moves first, or if she does, or if they both do in tandem, but the space between them disappears, sheets rustling around them as their mouths meet in a whispering kiss, gossamer soft.
The kiss lasts an eternity, it feels like, and every inch of Mike sparks to life at the feel of her lips on his, lush and full, warm and welcoming, a dream made real. His hand comes up to gently cup her cheek, instinctually seeking her closeness, stomach swooping at the feel of her skin against his hand, soft as silk, and the sharp breath she sucks in against him has him pulling back just far enough to look at her.
There’s a rich tapestry of emotion woven in El’s gaze - curiosity, confusion, hope - but above all, what gets him is this: the dark edge of desire, of want. Her eyes are hooded as she stares back at him, gaze roaming over his face, like what she’s looking for in him is the same thing that he’s looking for in her.
tag list (let me know if you want on or off the tag list): @thief-and-dragonfly @the-paris-of-people, @hearts-keep-going, @subjectmiles, @elhoppers , @thesaunatest @onmaplestreetagain , @lucascsinclairs @larawrites , @formerlyjannafaye , @linachupi @half-blind-dragon, @lamebutstillcool; @leggomyayygo @theduchesswrites; @blankmakesyoucrazy; @kylespence @milevenholic
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