I Feel so Cold and I Long for Your Embrace
by @mi11even
What happened after Eleven closed the gate??? For some reason, I feel really attached to the concept of what the aftermath of the fall of the Mind Flayer and the gate might have been. Although it tears me apart that we never got to see some period of relieving serenity and exhaustion, and especially a proper Mike and Eleven conversation, it’s interesting to read alternate pieces on it. Tag me in some if you know/have written any!!
AS ALWAYS DO NOT PERCEIVE MY OR ANYONE ELSE’S WORK TO BE SEXUALISING THESE KIDS!! everything is innocent and adorable please and thank you
word count: 884
summary: Eleven has closed the gate, the Mind Flayer is destroyed, Will is back to himself. After a rushed reunion and a quick goodbye before the chaos, Mike and Eleven get the chance to take in after a year apart.
-
Jim Hopper gave a tired sigh as he finally pulled into the driveway that led to the Byers’ home. It was a dark path buried in a sea of leaves and fallen twigs, and the night was eerily silent.
His headlights soon shone on the house, the sleepy soft lights that glowed in the windows making the house seem finally at bay. He pulled up, barely turning off the car before the door swung open and Mike Wheeler, illuminated by the heavy blue 4am sky, scurried down the porch.
Mike ran to the car, his hair messy and his eyes glowing, looking never more awake at the hour. He stopped for a moment, his eyebrows pulling together as he eyed the empty passenger seat. He nearly sprinted to the doors. “Where is she?!”
Hopper walked out, shutting his door quietly. He gave a small, tired smile to the worried boy. “She’s in the back, sleeping. Probably will be for years,” he murmured.
“She’s okay, though, isn’t she?” said Mike impatiently, glancing at him, then reaching for the handle and pulling open the door.
“She’s fine, kid,” whispered Hopper. Eleven lay across the backseat, blankets tucked carefully into her loosely spread limbs. Blood stains were spread everywhere on her face. Her clothes dirty and loose, but she slept immaculately.
“Ohmygod. El,” he whispered, his voice wavering. He smiled weakly at her sleeping face, running his hand across her forehead.
“Let me get her inside,” murmured Hopper, ruffling Mike’s hair. “It’s okay. You’ve got her now. She’s not going anywhere.”
-
Hopper walked in. Relieved whispers were smiled throughout the Byers’ household at seeing Eleven over his shoulder. Mike was on his toes. Joyce ran to the bathroom to run a shower after tearing up, overcome with emotion.
“El,” murmured Hopper, rubbing her back. “Wake up baby, we gotta get you clean.”
It took a few more attempts at rousing her, Hop swaying her on his shoulder, but soon enough she was rubbing her eyes and burrowing herself into his arms.
“C’mon,” whispered Hopper. “I know you’re tired, kid. The shower’s warm, then you can go back to sleep. C’mon,” he said again, putting her down. She whined but didn’t protest, blinking slowly.
“Mike?” she murmured, looking up.
“Here,” he said softly, immediately coming to her. Eleven sighed sleepily, almost in relief, falling into his arms. “I missed you,” he whispered.
Eleven hummed, her eyes slipping closed. “I’m here,” she breathed. She tucked her head into his chest.
“Okay, come on,” said Hopper, rubbing her back. “You’re gonna fall asleep again. You’ll have plenty of him later.” Eleven pulled away, reaching for Hop’s arm. She clutched it tightly as he turned to lead her to the bathroom. Hopper ruffled Mike’s hair. “She’s not going anywhere.”
Mike gave a weak smile.
“C’mon, sweetie,” motioned Joyce at the bathroom door, wrapping her arm around El.
“Thanks, Joyce,” said Hopper, his tired eyes showing the utmost gratitude.
“I’ll never be able to repay.” she smiled, her eyes glossy.
-
“Mike.”
Mike awoke from the cushions on the floor. They were placed next to the bed in Joyce’s room. Eleven knelt in front of him, her fingers brushing on his forehead.
]Mike knew that there was no way he was leaving her side at a time like this, as did everyone else, so no one stopped him. Joyce gave him as many spare blankets and cushions as possible with a smile, and he hastily dumped them right next to where El would sleep. He knocked out on his makeshift mattress while she was in the shower.
“Hi,” Mike breathed, sitting up. Her clear and immaculate face hit him with nostalgia, and he felt his throat tighten. The black eyeshadow dusting her eyes and the hard, slicked back look of El from half an hour ago was gone. Instead, her face was as soft and clear and she wore one of Joyce’s old t-shirts and-
Her hair.
There was so much. It was clean and also so curly, and the sweetest brown. When he looked up to her eyes, he was looking up to the most beautiful feeling of familiarity in the world. A warmth spreading through him. He felt like crying.
Mike ran his fingers along the tight but soft curls, each one sweetly delicate. He tucked them behind her ear. “So beautiful,” he said, looking up at her. El smiled, and tears ran down her cheeks.
“Hop fell asleep on the couch,” she murmured. “Come sleep with me,” she pleaded. Even though the dark circles under her eyes depicted utter exhaustion, there was a wildness in her eyes that showed that she did not want to be alone.
There was also a wildness in Mike’s eyes; it showed the fear of the possibility that El might be hurting in any way- along with the chance that he could be completely oblivious to it. It was terrifying.
So, he climbed into bed, feeling every tension that had been infuriating him for the past year escape him as Eleven curled herself into him. He tucked her closely into his chest, and they shook with tears of an indescribable relief. It didn’t last long, however, and soon, Mike Wheeler was lulled into blissful nothingness by the epitome of peace.
