Nancy Wheeler (Stranger Things)

I only watched Stranger Things ONCE, don't @me if I make mistakes??

Trigger warnings:  stranger things triggers, but also? More ptsd.

Canon divergences / my portrayal

-we can keep alive whoever you want to keep alive at the end of the show. Preferred setting is to 'X years after Vecna is defeated'.

-I actually want Robin to have been right: Nancy did drop out because she joined a fighting group; specifically, she joined a taskforce created by the government to fight anything resembling monsters that are coming into this world. It's a universe with superpowers, Upside Downs, and the Mind Flayer, so there is more than what the people from Hawkins have seen. Nancy could NOT find peace, so she chose violence. Her work at the Boston Herald is mostly a cover, but once we write threads she may have to move near your muse again.

-because she's been trying to pass for a normal person, she has forced herself to socialize, go to some parties (hated it), and the people she knows in Boston has seen a much more 'chill' Nancy who uses 90s slang and yeah, likes journalism, but takes it easy. It's obviously fake to anyone who has ever met her before, but every now and then some of that acting will show even when she's being herself.

-she has "more noticeable PTSD" than what was portrayed in the show, which is, in fact, why she ended up unable to continue school and to find a normal job. She might try the latter some day but she's not ready yet. However, instead of drinking to the point of alcoholism to cope, she chose rigid self-control and won't even have a glass anymore, she wants to always be ready for action.

-sleeps with a gun under her pillow (safety on) and has weapons hidden pretty much everywhere.

-no, I do not ship her with Jonathan, NO, I do NOT hate Jonathan and he will always be a dear friend. Yes, I ship her with Steve, and I would like to think that they might find each other in the future if he can accept that she'll never be a classic housewife and mother. She's not against having children (not six), but she can settle down in whatever way that works only after she feels she's safe enough. She has killed enough monsters, she's become strong enough (she needs therapy).

-being a journalist was her dream, but not anymore. again, PTSD can do this and more, she's basically a veteran who is returning to war because at this point it's the only way she feels normal.

-she will bring some of her chaotic messes back with her once she comes back to visit family and friends.  

Added: July 13th 2026