prom [stranger things + it]

many years

Mike loved when Hopper let him spend time with El. He cherished every smile, every question, every giggle with all of his heart. Before dinner, he and El were alone, and Eleven asked why Joyce's last name was now Hopper. Mike explained that when you get married, or when you love someone so much that you want to start a new family with them, you have the choice to switch to the same last name. Eleven didn't quite understand but let it slide.

Hopper allowed Mike to stay over for dinner. It was just the three, and they were all silent and eating, until Eleven spoke up. "Can I be called El Wheeler?" She asked Jim. He stopped eating immediately, and Mike choked on his drink with wide eyes.

Hopper cleared his throat, moving a few pieces of steak around on his plate. "That's up to Wheeler here," he paused, forking a piece of steak and looking up at El. "But not for many years." He turned to Mike, pointing with his fork for emphasis as he spoke: "Not for many, many years. You got that, kid?"

Mike gulped his milk and nodded slowly. "Y-yes, sir."

m
i love mileven