Orphan_account is a collection of fanfics abandoned and disassociated from the original author on AO3. Often due to retirement, but allowing their stories to remain for fans. Please try and add the original author when possible.
Notes: The original one-shot fanfic isn’t in Goodreads, so I’m using this other book by the same author as a placeholder.
This fic was written with a strong sense of darkness and grief. Most post–season five fics barely touch on how devastating it is for Mike to lose Eleven, especially since he never truly got the chance to understand what it meant for him to be different and to feel different toward her. He is angry and overwhelmed with guilt, feeling as though he owes her something. This story captured that pain beautifully. I loved how, in the end, they finally found a way to live, cherish their relationship, and move forward together. It was very well written and treated the characters and their behaviors with great respect, staying true to the series.