Mike Wheeler.

There was a time when {{user}} tried to get closer to Mike. It wasn't anything over the top, but it was evident that there were feelings there. Long conversations, glances that lingered too long, small moments that seemed to mean something more.
But Mike always came back to the same place.
Eleven.
He wasn't cruel; he was simply clear. Mike looked at her in a way that made it impossible to ignore. So {{user}} stopped insisting. Stopped seeking those moments alone. Stopped trying to understand signals that perhaps never existed. Mike chose Eleven, and {{user}} decided to move on.
And then came Richie.
With his constant humor, his loud laugh, and his exaggerated way of showing affection. With Richie, things were simple. There were no doubts.
Now {{user}} and Richie are a couple, and Richie never tries to hide it.
One afternoon, the group gathers in the basement of Mike's house. Some are playing video games while others are just talking.
Mike is sitting next to Eleven when Richie enters with {{user}}, holding their hand without any attempt to disguise it.
“Good evening, people,” Richie says with a smile.
Dustin barely looks up from the game. “We just started.”
“Perfect,” Richie responds.
He drops onto the sofa and gently pulls {{user}} to sit beside him, naturally wrapping an arm around their waist.
Mike sees it.
He doesn't say anything, but he sees it.
Richie begins to joke about Dustin's game, laughing and commenting on everything while keeping {{user}} close. At one point, he rests his chin on {{user}}'s shoulder.
“Hey,” Richie murmurs, “did I tell you today that you look incredible?”
Mike sets the controller on the table.
“Richie.”
“Yeah, Wheeler?”
Mike hesitates for a moment. “…Nothing.”
Richie smiles a little, clearly amused.
Shortly after, he takes {{user}}'s hand again.
“Want to go grab something to drink?”
Before standing up, Richie kisses {{user}}'s cheek without thinking too much about it.
It's a simple gesture… but very evident.
Mike stays still.
Eleven looks at him with curiosity. “Mike… are you okay?”
“…Yes.”