𝜗𝜚 𝐫𝐚𝐞 .ᐟ ⋆

Fourth of July ══ Mike Wheeler

Fourth of July was a day for celebration because it meant you got to see all of your childhood best friends. But, just because fireworks were beautiful, it doesn’t mean that they don’t bring you back to one of the most traumatic periods of your life…

mike wheeler x f!reader

wc; 4.5k

warnings: ptsd, hurt/comfort, trauma, nightmares, panic attacks.......pure unconditional mike wheeler fluff w/ a happy ending!

[author's note: i love fics with the party spending time on the lake so part of this was purely indulgent and the other part was because i love being sad and traumatizing my characters! also just a reminder that this current administration is abhorrent and there is truly nothing to celebrate about the united states right now! fuck trump! fuck ice! fuck the supreme court!]

EVERY YEAR ON the fourth of July, the party would get back together. The tradition had started after the first year of college, when you all realized just how much you missed each other when you all went away to school. At first, it was simple, just pitching up shitty tents at a campground somewhere in Michigan. Gathering around a campfire drinking cheap beer that you had to beg someone on the campground to buy for you.

Now that you’re all graduated and technically adults with adult jobs and money, everyone decided to splurge on a lakehouse. It was huge, with more than enough rooms for all of you, a game room, and its own private dock and boat.

Lucas got his boating license just for the occasion–even though Max refused to let him drive and took the wheel every single time. None of you expected any less from her though.

Dustin had his own room on the second floor, Lucas and Max took the primary on the first, Will and his boyfriend from New York took the pullout in the basement–because Will was too nice and gave Dustin his own room–and you and Mike took the smaller guest bedroom right off of the kitchen.

Mike laid on his stomach in your bed, his head in his hands as he watched you slip a sweatshirt over your bikini, your skin now kissed by the heat of the sun. You turned around, his sweatshirt dipping past your hips and noticed him watching you, a smirk on his face.

You rolled your eyes and turned back around, taking your hair out of the bun on top of your head. You didn’t spare another glance towards him, muttering, “Settle down.”

Mike sat up, the sheets rumpling underneath him, “What? I can’t watch my fiancee get dressed?”

You bent down and threw one of his sweatshirts at him, it got cold on the lake at night, and you knew Mike was almost never warm. He laughed as it hit his face, but still shrugged it on.

Once his head was through the hoodie, you were there, staring down at him, your own lips now pulled into a smirk as he stared up at you, slightly dazed. Your arms settled around his shoulders, wrapping gently around the back of his neck. His arms settled at your waist, his hand shifting to pull you down slightly.

You met him in the middle, eagerly matching the pace of his lips on your own. He hummed against you, making you smile into the soft kiss. His arms around your waist squeezed slightly as you pulled back, resting your forehead on his, your hair falling around both of your faces.

He stared at you, his eyes slowly morphing into the pout you knew so well, “What if we skip the bonfire tonight?”

His puppy dog eyes wouldn’t work on you tonight. You bit your lip, then kissed the tip of his nose, not missing how he tilted his head up, trying to meet your lips. You laughed, pulling away as you shook your head, “Mike. We live together. You get to see me every single day. We’re lucky if we see our friends– our best friends–more than twice a year. We’re not skipping. Besides, the lake is so beautiful at night, I want to go.”

Mike rolled his eyes, trying to act upset but failing to remove the grin from his lips, “Ugh. Whatever.” 

He pulled you close again, your knees hitting the edge of the mattress as you settled between his legs. He kissed you again, his tongue pushing against your bottom lip, trying to convince you to stay. You denied him, laughing as your hands moved down and pressed against his chest, pushing him back.

He groaned as you slipped out of his grasp, falling back onto the bed as you started to walk out of the room.

You called after him, your voice growing distant, “Michael!”

Mike didn’t know where the heat from his sunburn ended and the heat he felt from your touch started. He let out a huff of air, standing up to follow, “I know!”

The fire crackled, everyone already gathered around it as you moved to settle down in the chair next to Will and his boyfriend. You flicked Will on the side of the head as you passed him, laughing as he pushed you away, a flush on his cheeks. He looked so happy, glowing in the light of the fire, his hand wrapped in his boyfriend’s. 

Dustin was crouched down next to the stereo, messing with the radio to get what he deemed was the “perfect station”. You ignored the urge to go over there and mess with him, he already was upset because you took away his brand new mobile phone, annoyed that he was calling up his ‘flings’ and ignoring the group bonding taking place.

You didn’t care that Dustin couldn’t settle down, for all you cared he could go through half of Boston, you just didn’t want to deal with it on vacation.

Lucas was stoking the fire with what he deemed was his fire stick, trying to look impressive and manly to Max. Max ignored him because she could and handed you a beer, smiling as you took it.

A hand settled across the back of your chair, “Where’s my beer?”

Max rolled her eyes, staring at the face above you, “You have legs Wheeler, use em.” She gestured to the cooler next to Lucas, who waved Mike over with a smile.

Mike sighed, used to Max’s snarkiness, then leaned down to kiss your cheek before he walked over to Lucas, the two boys obsessing over the fire.

Max watched as your eyes followed him, then pretended to throw up, “Yuck, you two are so gross.”

You laughed as she brought her chair closer to you, “Like you’re one to talk.”

Her hand gripped her beer a little tighter, “I do not stare at Lucas like that.”

Will snorted, “Are we sure your sight is okay?”

You gestured to him, “Thank you!”

Max crossed her arms, letting out a slight huff, “Whatever.”

A silence settled over the four of you, music now playing softly in the background as Dustin found the right signal. You glanced past Will towards his boyfriend, a handsome young man that settled into your group well. He was the first guy that Will had ever brought into your group vacation, clearly he meant a lot. And you loved how happy Will looked and was, so you all were happy to welcome him. A simple question slipped past your lips, “So what do you do for work?”

His eyes widened slightly, like he was surprised you were asking him, “Oh, I’m an actor.” You smiled, but he just shook his head, trying to downplay it, “I’m not in anything you’ve probably seen though.”

Will rolled his eyes, squeezing his hand, “He’s being modest. He’s going to be in this new broadway musical in the spring. And it’s going to be a hit.”

Will brought his hand up to his lips and kissed the back of it gently. His boyfriend smiled as he did. You had an equally large smile on your face as they looked at each other and shared a look with Max, the two of you absolutely adoring them. Testing the waters, you glanced between the two of them, “You’ll have to let us know, it’s been a long time since Mike and I visited Will in New York. And I, for one, love musicals.”

Max nodded, “Yeah and I’ll take any excuse to get a break from grad school.”

Will smiled and nodded, his boyfriend watched him, blushing over the fact that Will didn’t seem upset over the mention of something months away. It meant that he was there to stay. Something that Will didn’t take lightly.

The four of you then slipped into an easy pace of conversation, talking about your shared childhoods, laughing and joking, carefully glossing over the less happy details. All was good. A sweet feeling erupted low in your chest, the simple warmth that came from loving your best friends–and the beer that loosened all of your worries, of course.

Another drink slipped into your hand as Mike returned to your side, gently nudging you out of your chair so he could lounge against the wooden planks, only to pull you back down into his lap. Smirking as you settled against him, one of his arms wrapped tightly around your waist and the other held onto his can.

The warmth continued to burn in your chest as you curled into your fiancé, eating up every point of contact between the two of you. No one paid any mind, the two of you had been dating for years and engaged for almost one.

The wedding was approaching quickly, but not quick enough for your taste. Although planning was a nightmare. You could live without the planning part of it all. 

Dustin threw something into the fire, white smoke emitting as it burned. A cough escaped your throat as it blew your way and you glared at him. Dustin just smirked as he took a sip of his beer. He perched on top of the cooler across the fire from you and Mike, “So, since Will over here,” He tipped the neck of his bottle towards Will and his boyfriend, the two of them only giving him blank stares, “Gets a plus one. Does that mean I do? I mean fair’s fair.”

You groaned, shutting your eyes as your head collapsed into Mike’s chest. Dustin inquiring about this was something you had dreaded. Knowing that it was going to come up at some time during this trip.

Max and Lucas both glared at Dustin from the side, but he ignored them. Mike laughed at you, knowing how annoyed you got about it. You hit his chest, not hard, but enough to make him stop laughing.

Eyes open now, you stared up at Mike, eyebrows pulled in and lips straight. His nostrils flared as he let out a deep breath, not willing to risk your wrath, “You only get a plus one if you’ve been dating them for more than 3 months.”

Dustin scoffed, “Not fair!” 

His lips moved to argue again, but this time Lucas stopped him, “Dustin. Don’t even start. Do you want to deal with both of their anger? I had to beg Max to let you come to ours for Thanksgiving. You don’t even want to know the things I sacrificed for you, man.”

Dustin gulped down a good helping of his beer, then huffed, “Fine. Just put me down for one then.”

Everyone laughed, you smiled, “Absolutely. And no hooking up with anyone else in the wedding party.”

Dustin ran a hand down his face, “Not even Crazy Sam?”

You gave him a death stare, "Especially not Sam. I would like to have some friends other than the people around this fire.”

Dustin shrugged, “Fine. I’ll just hook up with one of your cousins.”

“Make it one of Mike’s and we have a deal.” Dustin tilted his beer in a cheers motion, smiling as you did the same.

Mike’s eyes widened as he glanced between the two of you, his hand loosening around your waist, “Hey! No. Absolutely no-”

Agile fingers gripped the back of his neck, lacing through his curls as you pulled him towards you, locking him into a kiss. He hummed into it, all arguments forgotten as his hand tightened once again. When you pulled back you gave him a look, he just sighed and rolled his eyes, leaning back into the wooden chair.

Will’s boyfriend spoke up, looking a little confused, “So what am I missing?”

You perked up immediately. Loving this story even though in retrospect you sort of hate it, but it was a good thing to look back at overall. You glanced at Will who smiled and then at Max and Lucas who gestured to you, wanting you to tell the story. You leaned back into Mike, who watched you with a gentle smile and started to tell him.

“So, last year, at Lucas and Max’s wedding, Dustin brought this girl that he had just met the week of. She seemed nice and normal…until the bouquet toss. Suddenly this girl became an all-star linebacker and tackled a whole line of women to get to it.” You rested your hand against your chest, “Myself included.”

Everyone laughed as they recalled the way Dustin’s date tackled you, your heel flying off behind you as your ankle rolled in and the way you just laid there and let it happen afterwards. Even Will’s boyfriend let out a quick giggle when you said it, understanding why this was such a large point of contention. “Dustin was mortified that she caught it. And I ended up in a boot for six weeks because I almost snapped my ankle off in my high heels.”

You flashed your ring, the diamond reflecting in the fire, a wicked smile slowly appearing on your face, “Jokes on her though, because I ended up winning anyways.” You turned around to stare at Mike, who was just watching you with a grin, loving how dramatic you were about it. And also eating up the fact you were so excited to marry him. He leaned forward and kissed you, the metal of your ring cold against his cheek.

Dustin and Max groaned in sync as Mike kissed you, while Will and Lucas hollered in their seats cupping their hands against their lips.

Dustin watched with a grimace as you pulled back with a smile, you and Mike staring at each other with lovestruck gazes. “There’s still time to leave him. Whatever spell he has you under, Max and I are figuring out a way to break it.”

Mike threw his empty beer can at Dustin’s head, who dodged it with ease, “She’s not under a spell asshole. Is it really that hard to believe she loves me?”

Max and Dustin spoke at the same time, “Yes.”

You burst out laughing, your hand holding onto Mike’s shoulder for support. Mike pouted, but you just squeezed his shoulder, making him softly smile. 

Night had fully crept in, the sunset faded from view. The fire crackled and the music played low, all of you settling in. Then a loud crack went off from the middle of the lake and the sky was painted in gold. Everyone went quiet, paying apt attention to the show that was beginning. You had forgotten that on the lake there were firework shows, normally the party was camping in the woods, where the trees would catch on fire if a firework went off.

You hadn’t seen fireworks in a very long time.

You all flinched at the first one, not expecting it. Dustin and Lucas shrieked just like you did in Mike’s lap, so no one noticed. Your back straightened in Mike’s hold as a red firework went off, reminding you of something you didn’t want to name.

Your eyesight blurred, but you just blinked it back as your heart beat quickly and sweat started to accumulate at your brow.

You let go of Mike’s hand, trying to smile, but not quite reaching your eyes as you let out a quick, “Be right back.”

Mike’s eyes drifted from the fireworks to you, his eyebrows furrowing as he watched you run into the house. Another distant boom pulled his eyes away from your figure. He didn’t see you flinch at the noise or hear the small gasp you let out as you covered your ears.

Shaky fingers reached for the doorknob, pulling it open with haste. With each passing second you started to shake more, that familiar feeling of impending doom quickly returning to your stomach. Weighing you down with each step.

The fireworks got louder and louder, your entire body now shaking. The door to your’s and Mike’s room was thankfully close and you slammed the door shut as you ran in to hide underneath the covers, tears in your eyes as you clutched the pillow over your head. 

Flashes of the mall went past your eyes. The familiar ache of terror and doom and fear bubbling in your chest. Not knowing if you were going to make it out this time as you watched Billy hit Mike with the pole and the smaller boy flung back, lifeless, blood covering his cheek. You and El and Max helpless to stop it.

Or when the fireworks erupted, the horrible screech of the Mind Flayer ripping your eyedrums to shreds. Watching Max mourn her brother and El collapse in a fit of exhaustion and pain. Feeling like it was over, but knowing that nothing truly ever was…

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·  

The fireworks were still going, settling down before the finale. It had been a few minutes since you had rushed into the house and Mike was getting worried. He kept looking back towards the house, waiting for you to come out, ease his anxiety with that wide smile always on your face when you were with the party. 

But you never did.

Max watched from the corner of her eye as Mike turned back again. She had an idea what was going on, even if she didn’t want to admit it, she felt it too. She gestured to the door, getting his attention, “Go.”

Mike just nodded and got up, quick feet across the grass and into the house.

The door to your bedroom was haphazardly closed, the lights all off. He could hear your deep breaths from outside of the door. He pushed it open, blinking hard to try to see through the lack of light.

The blankets were mussed on the bed, wrapped tightly around your figure. Mike couldn’t see you at all as you hid underneath them, shifting around as you whimpered. Another firework went off, the walls of the lakehouse doing nothing to dim the noise. Your body jerked, a sob lost in your throat.

Mike felt his chest tighten as he moved closer, calling out to you, “Baby?”

The bed dipped underneath his weight as he slowly reached for you, gently pulling the covers back, the sight of you covering your ears with a pillow and your eyes tightly squeezed shut greeting him. You didn’t notice as he pulled the blanket back, your breathing still labored.

Mike was careful as he tried to take your hand. You flinched back immediately, your eyes opening and turning into saucers. Your eyes darted around the room, struggling to recognize where you were.

You scooted backwards, not quite knowing or understanding what was happening anymore. Mike gently cooed as he reached for you, “It’s just me. It’s Mike. It’s me.”

Dried tears covered your cheeks, new ones running down the familiar path. Mike noticed as your fingers lessened their grip on the pillow, settling. You inched closer to him on the bed, the pillow forgotten. He looked between your wide eyes and the tears on your face, his fingers gently rubbing them away. His voice was soft, “What’s wrong?”

A sniffle came from your nose as you tried to breathe normally, your lips barely parting to begin to answer. The loud burst of a firework made your words turn into a sharp cry as you clutched his hand on your face, your eyes squeezing shut once again.

Mike connected the dots instantly. He pulled you to him, your tear stained cheeks resting against the soft fabric covering his chest. Searching for his heartbeat, the one thing that you could stand to hear right now.

His arms wrapped tightly around you, unmoving as the fireworks continued to go off and you shifted in response, trying to fight the noise and the fear. His lips pressed into your hair at the top of your head, his words warm and kind as he tried to wait out the worst with you. 

“You’re safe. I’m not going anywhere, I promise. I got you, baby.”

He held you through the worst, grounding you as the finale reminded you of all of the terrible things that happened on that fourth of July so long ago. Everytime you kicked and cried, he was there, gentle, loving, and understanding.

He knew that you would do the same for him.

Because you had.

When the nights were dark and lonely and all he had were the bad memories, you were there. Talking in circles, flipping the record when it stopped, holding his hand as it shook. The nights that he laid on the floor beside his bed staring at the ceiling because everytime he closed his eyes he saw El disappear—you were right there, making up constellations on the popcorn ceiling just so he could remember what it was like to laugh again.

Eventually, you went from holding his hand to holding him, guarding him even in his dreams. That’s when he knew.

He loved you. One of his oldest friends. 

And you loved him. How could you not? Mike Wheeler had a lot to say, but he had so much to give.

The last firework went off, Mike could hear as all of the people on the lake clapped and cheered and the familiar music came back on. It was like the show never happened and all was well.

You were still stiff in his arms however, fingers tight against his sweatshirt, holding onto it like a lifeline.

Gentle lips were placed upon your forehead as he kissed you, watching as you slowly came to, your heartbeat slowing within your chest. Your fingers loosened, Mike grabbed your hand, intertwining his fingers with yours.

He waited for you to speak first. Understanding that you would need some time to breathe. He played with the engagement ring on your finger, twisting it, thinking about everything it promised.

You pulled back, only slightly, enough that Mike could see the teary rims of your eyes. Shakily, you let out, "It's been ten years, Mike."

He nodded, "I know."

You looked down at your intertwined fingers, ashamed, "I shouldn't still be doing this."

Mike’s hand squeezed yours, “Don’t say that. You know just as well as I do that we can’t always control it.”

A huff escaped your lips, “It’s embarrassing.” Hurt flooded in your chest as your deepest fear slipped out, “What if one day, we have kids and I take them out to the mall and freeze when I see something that brings me back?”

Mike shook his head, unmoved, "Then we’ll handle it, together."

"Mike–"

His hand underneath you slipped under the fabric of your sweatshirt, his skin against yours as he rubbed your back gently, "I'm serious. Just like we always have. Just like we did when it was me."

You looked away. "That's different."

"No, it isn't." His thumb brushed over your engagement ring again, a physical reminder of the commitment the two of you had for one another. "You spent years sitting with me when I couldn't sleep. You talked me through nightmares. You never once made me feel like there was something wrong with me."

His voice softened, his neck craning uncomfortably just so he could look you in the eyes, "So don't start acting like you're a burden now."

Another tear ran down your cheek as you let out a deep breath, knowing that he was right. Knowing that you would say and do the same for him. You buried your head in the crook of his neck, throwing yourself on top of him.

Mike relaxed onto his back and held you, his arms settling around your waist. He gently kissed the side of your head, the rising of his chest in sync with yours. 

You laid like that for a moment, breathing him in, taking everything that he could offer to you. The peace, the quiet, the love. It was overwhelming, the feeling that fluttered in both of your chests.

You lifted your head up, Mike’s eyes lazily watching your every movement. His curly hair splayed out against the pillow. He was a vision, for your eyes only, and you couldn’t help it as you pressed your lips to his, feeling as he reciprocated the kiss.

He slowly and gently changed your positions, you now resting on your back, him hovering above you. He pulled back and you took the chance to whisper against his lips, “I love you.”

He smiled, leaning in once more, his nose brushing against yours. “I love you too.”

He tilted his head to the side, his hand cupping your jaw gently as the two of you moved in sync. You met him with the same eagerness, desperate to feel him close, your hands slipping underneath his sweatshirt, his skin surprisingly warm compared to the cold of your hands.

He hummed against your lips, then pulled back, kissing your nose, your cheek, then making his way down your jaw. You tilted your head without much resistance, allowing him more access, your eyelids fluttering open and closed in pleasure as you let out soft sighs, relishing in the shared intimacy. Your shoulders finally beginning to relax.

The sliding glass door in the next room slammed open, Dustin’s voice interrupting you both, “Hey lovebirds, you better not be engaging in pre-marital sex in there! It’s a sin, don’t forget it! ”

Mike groaned as he pulled away from your neck, his lips slightly swollen, “Do we have to invite him to the wedding?”

You laughed, the tightness in your chest finally gone.

Mike stayed rooted in his spot, staring down at you with soft eyes, his hand coming up to stroke your cheek, “What about some ice cream cake? I think there’s still some left in the fridge.”

Your eyes narrowed, ”You and the boys didn’t eat it all?”

Mike pulled his hand back, pretending to be offended, ”Are you saying I eat too much?”

You removed your hands from his waist, reaching up to poke at his sternum, the hard bone making a harsh impact against your finger, “Clearly not saying that.”

He grabbed your hand against his chest and laughed, leaning down to press a fleeting kiss to the tip of your nose, “Of course we did, Max would have killed us if we didn’t.”

He leaned back and used the hand holding yours to pull you up with him, the two of you slowly slipping off the bed and standing up. Mike was still close to you as you both stood, his hand laced with yours. Teasing, you gestured to the door, “Lead the way, Ser Mike.”

He mockingly bowed, kissing the back of your hand, ”Of course, my lady. It’s my pleasure.”

You both laughed, loud and joyous as he dragged you out of the room and into the kitchen. The aches and terror quieting in the far corners of your mind. One day, it could all come back to either of you, in ways you didn’t expect, but at least you knew that you would always have each other to pull one another back down to earth.

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·  

finn been looking TEW good lately so i needed this finished...

aw HI LOVE thank u so so so much, that's all genuinely so sweet 🥹 !! i do have some tips i can give!! i'll kinda ramble so ill put some below :)

rip the bandaid off and post ur first work, even if u don't feel like it's perfect!! write something u want to write and just post it. it's intimidating at first, but there's so much support on tumblr and everyone is insanely kind and uplifting on here. once u post ur writing for the first time, it's way easier to do so anytime after that. get the hard part done!!

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