Chapter Text
Mike had gotten used to the teasing. It had been 4 years since he and the boys had met El, and that had given him plenty of time to familiarize himself with the jokes, the mocking, the kissing-faces that after so long, still made him blush.
He could never understand the teasing. Sure, when he was twelve years old he had asked her to the Snow Ball, but that was years ago. El was one of his best friends, he most-definitely didn’t have feelings for her. And she didn’t like him either, he was sure of that. There was nothing that could make Mike believe El liked him as more than a friend.
Not that he thought about it a lot, that was something he would deny. Okay, he’d admit that maybe he occasionally thought whether or not El liked him, but that was only because the boys always brought up the topic. Not because he wanted her to or anything-- that was one thing he insisted on.
Either way, it didn’t matter, because Mike swore he didn’t like El as anything more than a friend, well, a best friend maybe, but that was it. And he fully believed that El’s feelings were the same.
It had all started with that Friday night, November 6th, 1987. The five friends had made it a tradition every year to hold a commemorative Dungeons & Dragons game on the anniversary of Will’s disappearance. It was their way of making light of it all. That day wasn’t exactly a fond memory, launching the friends into the most terrifying week of their lives, and sending Will to the Upside Down. So instead they tried to make something positive out of the day. They played D&D, looked back at how different everything was from the year before, and they celebrated the one good thing that came out of the experience-- meeting El.
As always, Mike was the dungeon master, and their campaign was almost finished. He was sharing the finale of their long story, ending with the marriage of the princess and her knight-in-shining-armor.
The boys all whined at the sappiness, something Mike always looped into the resolution of campaigns, and their least favorite part. They all preferred the action.
“Enough with the mushiness,” Lucas griped.
Dustin let out a groan, “El’s a lucky girl, but we don’t want to hear the romance crap.”
El’s eyes widened upon hearing her name, while Mike just blushed profusely.
“Shut up,” He grumbled.
The boys snickered for a few moments, even Will laughed, though he normally abstained from the teasing. They were interrupted by the clearing of someone’s throat at the top of the stairs.
Nancy was home from college for the weekend, taking a short visit back before Thanksgiving. She stood above with her arms crossed, “Mike, Mom sent me down. It’s already 10:30, it’s late and she wants you to go to sleep.”
Mike rolled his eyes, he knew his mother would come kick his friends out any second.
“Guess that’s our cue to leave.” Will stood up, and the rest of the friends followed.
“Later Mike.”
“See ya tomorrow.”
Nancy had made her way down the stairs, sitting next to Mike, “I’m surprised you tolerate all that.”
“Huh?”
“The teasing. With you and El,” She raised her eyebrows at him, “I figured it must embarrass you a lot.”
“I’m used to it.”
“Do you ever wonder what they would do if you and El actually started dating?”
Mike almost shot out of his seat, “What?! We’re not going to date.”
“Calm down, Mike,” Nancy rolled her eyes, “I’m just saying their reactions would be pretty hilarious if you did.”
She stood up and walked out of the basement, leaving Mike to wonder at what she had just said.
What did she mean about their reactions? That question left Mike thinking. How would his friends react if he and El dated?
Mike figured the teasing would probably get much worse, but at least it would be called for. He tried to shut the idea from his mine. Like he told Nancy, he and El weren't going to date, why was he thinking about this so much?
Then an idea popped into his mind, something he figured he would never act on, but it still made him laugh to consider. After all these years of being teased, what if he and El could get a little payback?
His mind devised a plan, one he never intended to pursue, but still the thoughts still jumbled through his mind as he fell asleep that night.
The next day, El came over in the morning. Mike had invited her over to watch movies with him. He knew she wasn't so interested in campaigns, so he always made sure to make special plans for her the day after one.
“What's that?” El plopped herself down onto the couch, picking up the copy of War and Peace that was left on the cushion, “Are you reading this?”
“Oh God no,” Mike stared at the giant book, “It’s probably Nancy’s. She must have left it down here when she was talking to me last night.”
“What were you and Nancy talking about?”
Mike’s response came to his mouth before his mind, “You.”
“What?” El raised her eyebrows at him.
“Not, uh, in a weird way or anything. Just, um, she was talking about the boys always teasing us, ya know, saying we're dating. She was saying how they would react if we actually dated. N- not that I'm saying we would though!” Mike stammered through his response, and awkward blush forming.
“Oh.”
It went quiet for a few moments. The same thoughts that raced through Mike’s mind the previous night were now hitting El.
“Do you ever wonder how they would react though?” He broke the silence.
“What?”
“If we dated. The guys would probably think it was pretty funny.”
“What are you saying?” El looked at Mike, but he was refusing to make eye contact.
“I had an idea last night. Actually, it's stupid. Nevermind, just ignore me.”
She nudged his arm, “Mike.”
“What if we could kinda get back at the boys for all the teasing?” El raised her eyebrows and he continued, “A prank.”
“What kind of prank?” Her voice was cautious.
“We could tell everyone we’re dating, just to see how they would react and stuff. And then we could mess with them for a little bit.”
“Let's do it,” El grinned.
Mike looked back at her, eyes wide open, “Wait what?”
“It sounds fun.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah. I mean, unless you don't want to,” She glanced over to him for confirmation.
Mike's mouth was gaping open, “Uh, um, sure! Do you really want to do this?”
“The guys are coming over later, right? We could start it then.”
“Can't wait,” Mike's blush was turning his entire face bright red, “So do you want to watch the movie, uh, girlfriend?”
“Sure, um, boyfriend.” El had her own blush starting.
Mike went to turn on the movie, rubbing the back of his neck, in desperate need to get rid of his worsening blush.
There was one thing he was sure of though. Despite all the blushing, and all the awkwardness that was sure to ensue-- this was going to be fun.
He smirked to himself. This was going to be really fun.