Chapter Text
Mike still could not believe that El was here, that she was holding onto his neck and swaying to the music in the Hawkin’s Middle School gym.
How Hopper had gotten her out of her hiding place for a night still amazed him, especially after their spat at the Byer’s home that dark night when El had finally come home, to Hawkins, to him.
He still thought back to that moment when their eyes met and every bit of pain he held inside just banished. Her eyes, the window to her soul reflected what he himself was feeling. Relief. To know that she was safe and still alive, he had hoped that she was alive but to see her standing there, it was everything. In his subconscious he knew he would have to tread carefully after all the bad things that had happened to El.
And now here with her in his embrace, he knew that they were meant to be together. A year had been enough to mature his feelings for her; she was no longer just a crush. His longing for her for those 353 days made him realize that he loved her. Even if he was “too” young to feel this, he knew in his heart that he would do anything to protect her, to be with her.
“Mike,” her soft-spoken voice brought him out of his thoughts, he lifted his eyes to her and smiled, “El?”
“Could we-?” She gestured to the doors leading into the hallway. He realized that maybe she need to take a breather so he nodded and lead her out of the mass of dancing bodies towards the double doors.
“Did you want a drink of water, or to use the bathroom?” Mike asked but El quickly shook her head and made her way to the stairs and sat on the second step. Mike followed and just waited to see what she had on her mind.
“Mike? Are we friends?” El asked and Mike’s eyes quickly widen. His heart stopped and he began to worry about why her mind was stuck on that.
“Of course! Why, um, did you think we weren’t?” Mike asked feeling weird by the question. How could El doubt his friendship, he had asked her to the Snowball dance after all- and then his mind understood what she was asking.
Mike got up and reached for El’s hand and pulled her gently so she would stand. With her on the first stair it made them more even in height and Mike was able to look at her without needing to bend down so far.
“El,” he said and when she refused to lift her eyes from their clasped hands, Mike let go of one of her slender hands and touched his fingers to her chin and lifted her head. The look in her eyes broke his heart and he knew that he had to fix the misunderstanding quickly.
“Um, El we are friends, but I um, I like you in different way. Do, um, do you remember last year? What we talked about?” Mike stuttered as he blushed thinking about how awkward he had been in kissing her, he could feel his face getting hot.
“Yes,” El whispered looking at him.
“Well, I really like you which is um why I, um,” Mike stuttered trying to convey his feelings but really embarrassed to say them out loud so awkwardly.
“I kissed you then and I kissed you now at the dance. El I really like kissing you and um, I want to be able to do that but only if you want me too.” He said quickly and feeling satisfied with himself when El started to nodded her head slightly and smiling.
“Mike, I want that too. Does that mean you’re my boyfriend now?” She asked and Mike felt flutters in his stomach and started smiling because he thought it would be a while before he could ask her to be his girlfriend.
“Yes, if you want me to b-” He got caught off when El ripped her hands from his and threw them on his shoulder and dove in to kiss him.
Mike was startled but for just one moment and then started to kiss her back, his arms reaching out to embrace her and he knew things would work out, with him and El better then he thought.
They broke apart to breath and Mike looked at her. She was so beautiful, flushed because of their kiss, her eyes twinkling and the best smile in the world. That smile that was reserved only for him and he smiled back.
“El, you’re so beautiful,” Mike said and he saw her smile get brighter.
“Thank you, Mike, you’re beautiful too,” She responded and Mike blushed and gently said, “Um El? Boys aren't really called beautiful.”
Her brows furrowed, “Why not?” Mike laughed at her confusion and quickly explained.
“Girls are pretty and beautiful. Guys are cute or handsome, it’s just how people describe one another.” Mike said as he rubbed her back, as they were still embracing.
“Okay, Mike I think you are the most handsome of all.” She said and giggled and then let go of Mike and stepped down the stairs and grabbed his hand.
“Let’s go dance Handsome,” She said and Mike followed her and kept smiling.