Honey and Wildfire

“Please tell me that the clock is wrong and it’s actually eight thirty in the morning and not eight thirty at night,” Monroe whined before taking a much needed sip from her coffee cup. Overnight shifts were the bane of the blonde’s existence, especially when there was nothing to do. “I’ve been here since six thirty and had one guy come into the ER with what turned out to be just a headache. I’m not going to make it ten more hours.”

Attention shifted to the blonde, a small smile tugging on her lips as she teased in an attempt to lighten the mood a long night shift could bring. “You know how I hate to be the bearer of bad news so I’m just not going to answer that.” Expression dropped, nose wrinkling at the mention of someone coming in with something that could have been solved by Advil. “A headache? You have got to be kidding me. It’s moments like those I’m glad I don’t have to deal with everyone who walks in here, I’m pretty sure I’d struggle to keep smiling at anyone older than eighteen at during this shift.”

It was a strange kindness coming from this woman, one that Cheyenne certainly hadn’t expected. This town was plagued by a lot of bad people, which were the ones you heard about on the news and in the papers more often than not. So it was nice to be reminded that there were good people here in Hawkins too. “Touché.” Cheyenne agreed with a swift nod of her head. She was beginning to like this woman already – and not just because of the free drink. “I don’t think it’s trite at all.” Shrugging her shoulders, the blonde indulged herself in a gracious sip before speaking. “You’re right. People take the little things for granted all the time. The small victories. The things that should bring us the most happiness, but don’t.” Now it was Cheyenne’s turn to ramble on. Potentially because she already may have had one bourbon too many. “It’s hard though, ya know? Thinkin’ about all that when there’s so much darkness around here all the time. It’s like we’re all just circlin’ the drain, waitin’ for that moment for us to swallow us whole.” As cynical as it was, she couldn’t help but feel that way and Cheyenne was sure she wasn’t alone in that. “Like those two kids that perished in that fire? Such a sad and awful tragedy. Did you know them?”

At the agreement from the blonde, Lalita couldn’t help but grin a little wider and her mood lifted even more when it seemed that her new companion could see where she was coming from. “Exactly! I think it’s far to easy to fall into a routine and go through life on autopilot, missing everything that should be important.” Pausing slightly she took a sip from her drink, for once taking a moment to weigh her words before she spoke again. “That’s why I love a little bit of spontaneity every now and again to shock people out of there norm just enough.” The smile on her lips faded at the mention of the murders, a solemn nod of her head given in acknowledgement of the event. “Loosely, knew of them really more than anything else. But even if I didn’t it doesn’t change how awful it is and how much things need to change.” An effort had always been made to remain neutral and when she spoke of change she wasn’t really meaning the disappearance of the gangs when they were as much a part of Hawkins as the building. But as someone who valued life and the preservation of it she couldn’t deny something had to give even if she wasn’t sure she was qualified enough to suggest what or how that might happen. 

If there was one person that Jeremy would do absolutely anything for, not matter what it was — hell, if there was one person that Jeremy would put in front of himself, it was his sister. Maybe it was because Jeremy didn’t want her to be left to fend for herself the way their father forced Jeremy to. He’d always felt his father didn’t care about him as much because he was a reminder of a failed marriage and a wife that vanished off the face of the Earth and he didn’t want there to be even a chance that Lalita ever felt like she was unwanted or like she was a burden. Even if things were different for the two in different ways growing up, it didn’t stop the older male from protecting his sister from something that could potentially happen to her. Scrunching up his eyebrows, Jeremy shook his head. “You put on a convincing act but I know you, Lal and I know you’re trying to get me to say yes to something I don’t want to do.” He repeated, he always, or for the most part knew what Lalita was up to, especially when it came to him. That was the thing with siblings, they knew each other like the back of their hands. “— and what would I do to make things more interesting? Sit there and tell them all how their full of shit? Or ignore everyone and talk to you the whole time?” Unable to help himself, Jeremy rolled his eyes - more so in a “fine” way, not an annoyed way. “An hour max, okay? I’ll go, you have my word.” Jeremy promised, giving her hand a shake. “Besides, I gotta make sure you continue taking me to family dinner night and don’t replace me with any lost cause you’re trying to save.” 

While it would be impossible to ever say that Lalita didn’t care enough there was no denying that there were certain people she just cared more about. It wasn’t necessarily in her nature to broadcast the fact that there was a hierarchy in her life but not once had she ever felt guilty about displaying affection for her older brother. Despite the larger gap in age the two of them had always been closer than she had with Arjun for no reason that she could ever pinpoint. Throwing her hands up in the air dramatically she put on an exasperated tone. “Fine, fine. You got me but please just say yes. Don’t make me resort to begging when it’s only an hour.” It would have been foolish of her to consider that her brother would have failed to pick up on exactly what game she was playing, even if it wasn’t one she pulled every week he knew her far too well not to see through her thinly veiled attempts at well meaning manipulation. “It would certainly make a change.” With a grin Lalita couldn’t help but indulge the idea, if only to see the look on her mother’s face when her perfect planned dinner got derailed. There was no lack of love felt for her family, she truly loved them all dearly, but their way of doing things was exhausting and she longed for something freer. Her eyes lit up as he took his hand, grinning at her brother with a fondness reserved only for him. “Thank you, you know how much this means to me.” Her grin only widened at the mention of her penchant for taking seemingly hopeless cases under her wing and she couldn’t resist the opportunity to tease her brother. “You’ll always be my favourite lost cause, Jer.”

Ranae bit back a laugh at Lalita’s sheepish state, “My mom would have laughed her ass off if she was still around,” she replies and snorts softly. “Because I’m known to drink strong liquor?” she asks with a small laugh and thought it over for a moment, “I’m not really doing anything tonight, what did you have in mind exactly?” 

“Sounds like a much better option.” There wasn’t particularly a lack of love between Lalita and her mother but the older woman’s need for perfection left her weary. “Because you don’t do things by halves.” Pausing slightly she couldn’t help but grin. “But the drinking strong liquor helps.” With a little hum the brunette mulled it over before hinting at what could be to come. “I think the more important question is what are you doing tomorrow and then we can decide what we’ll get up to tonight.”

“The world wouldn’t be able to handle that, more pep– shit.” She laughed, running a hand through her hair before closing her textbook to hive the younger girl her attention. “Maybe one day I’ll surprise ya’, throw in some girly ass drink with an umbrella.” Roxy winked, nodding over at the bartender, “How have I been? Just tryin’ to finish this GED shit, gettin’ people drunk, ya’ know. The usual. I ain’t someone that saves lives like you, that’s a hell of a lot more interesting.”

“Exactly why I should be working on it. No one would know what had hit them.” Laughing at the idea of it the brunette then nudged her shoulder into Roxy’s. “One day I’ll manage to covert you or maybe just get you drunk enough that you stop paying attention to what you’re drinking.” She was quick to praise her friend, unwilling to let her think that was she was doing mattered any less than her own life. They all had their own paths to lead and there was no right way. “Both of which I’m sure you’re doing amazingly. Besides, it’s not all that glamorous when the doctors just love to take most if not all of the credit.” 

Pressing his lips together, Dominic shook his head at her comment, not believing it for a second. “Something tells me that’s not true—” Leaning into the girl a little, Dominic made himself comfortable against the bar, his body faced towards the woman he still hadn’t gotten the name of despite the few encounters they had prior to this one. “Something tells me that you could be a little bit of trouble if not a lot but hey, I’ll let you try and convince me otherwise.” He joked, breaking into a smile while he continued to lean into the brunette before standing straight once again and giving her the room to get the attention of the bartender. Watching as she turned back to look at him, doing her best impression of someone that wanted his attention, Dominic laughed, keeping his eyes on her. “See, like I said, something tells me you’re trouble. You can’t look at a guy like that with such ease and not be.” Obviously Dominic was just teasing her, despite there being some truth to his thought process. He knew if she wanted she could get whatever she wanted with just a few looks. It was a very powerful superpower to have up your sleeve. Even if she didn’t use it, it was there and it was intriguing. If anyone knew anything about Dominic, even if they just knew him a little, they knew that he gravitated towards things that left him curious and intrigued him. Whether that be something good, bad, or in between, that was really up in the air. “TDH? Is that supposed to stand for something? Here you go again, leaving me with more questions than answers.” Dominic waited until she finished ordering the drinks before shrugging his shoulders. “I mean, I guess it’s not all that bad to spend some one on one time with a pretty girl who just bought me a drink.” Giving the brunette a small smile he leaned back in like he had done earlier. “Only when I’m looking for a little entertainment.” 

“Now where would the fun in that be? I think I’m going to keep you guessing, can’t have you thinking you’re the only mysterious one.” Laughing slightly, she shook her head at his comment, still refusing to believe it looked anything close to the femme fatale look she’d aimed for. “You think? Or maybe I’m just a very good actress.” At his next words she knew she had his attention, at least for a little while. Obscure nicknames would do that. “It does to me.” A little smirk tugged at the edge of her lips as she answered his question without giving him it in full like he might have wanted. It wasn’t so much that she wanted to wind him up or push his buttons but rather the night was far more interesting when conversations ended up being like a game between two people. A little back and forth that turned into more of a dance than just an exchange of words. “Well that makes two of us then. But you can’t expect to ever get any answers if you don’t ask the right questions.” Her voice was light and teasing, knowing full well she was being the difficult one but she didn’t see why she had to be the one to tell him everything when she didn’t have so much as a name to call him by. Sure, she could have just asked or perhaps even introduced herself but it was far more entertaining to continue dancing around the subject. “Exactly. A 2 - 4 - 1, free alcohol and some company that won’t hurt your eyes.” The lightness in her eyes shifted to something a little more full of mischief as she made a show of looking around the bar at its other occupants before leaning in and speaking in hushed tones as though she was sharing something important rather than just flippant. “Might be the best deal you get all night.” As he leaned back in Lalita stood her ground, tilting her chin upwards slightly to meet his eyes better. A smile danced across her lips and a brow arced playfully. “And what exactly classes as entertainment for you? Some drinking -” As if perfectly on cue their drinks arrived and after handing him his the brunette carried on “- and maybe some dancing or am I going to have to put on a little show to keep you from getting bored?”

At the comforting words, Riley smiled, capping the wine bottle and placing it back in the wine cabinet. The short strides to the island were taken as the woman picked up both wine glasses, handing one over to her roommate. “I’ve been called that every now and then,” Riley joked, offering a wink to her roommate. “Today was hectic. You wouldn’t believe how many people came in with a bullet wound or a knife sticking out of an orifice.” Shaking her head, Riley took a sip from her glass, savoring the taste of the red Moscato before swallowing. “How was your day?” Riley asked as she made her way over to the couch, plopping herself down as she reached for the television remote. Sure, she should have been reaching for one of her many school books to study, but the headache being to split her head pleaded to be left alone.

A long drink was taken of the wine that was handed to her, sighing in satisfaction, she shot her roommate another smile. “I really needed that.” Rolling her shoulders she did her best to work out some of the tension that remained in her body after her shift. She was almost always hit by a sense of comfort when she walked into the home and the fact that the two of them were able to talk about their job and not just have to bury all the highs and inevitable lows of their work was a refreshing relief. Following the blonde she settles herself on the couch, tucking her legs up underneath her. “I really wish that sounded like a change for you.” A sympathetic smile was sent Riley’s way, knowing that where they lived didn’t make for the easiest of shifts when there was constant violence. “It was actually pretty good, one of our longest staying patients finally got the all clear and discharged so the mood was pretty high.”

With all three of her children at home, tucked safely in their beds while one of the trusty Mayan muscle men sat armed with his feet up in her living room, Cheyenne felt like she could finally have a moment to herself. To think. Or maybe, to do the opposite, and not-think. Sometimes that’s what bars were for, right? She had been sulking in her own company, nursing a drink when Cheyenne felt a warm body brush against her shoulder, settling in to the seat next to her and immediately demand her attention. Mouth agape, threatening to turn down the woman’s offer as soon as it was extended, Cheyenne sighed when she wasn’t given a chance to reply before the woman could insist even further. “Bourbon, neat. Thank you.” A grateful smile lined her lips as she turned her body slightly to address the woman. “I’ll also have a little bit of whatever’s got you as chipper as a bird if you can spare it.” Cheyenne added. “What is it? Did ya win the jackpot in Vegas? Shack up with Ryan Gosling? Those are about the only things I think would make me that happy right now.”

She could tell that the blonde hadn’t been an easy sell and she’d been right to keep going in her offer. It was usually the people that tried to protest that needed the drink most and maybe pulled out of their own head a little. Of course she had no idea what was going on in this woman’s life but more often than not if someone was sat at the bar nursing a drink by themselves there was something going on that they needed their mind taken off of. Laughing at the other woman’s suggestion, Lalita shook her head. “If I managed to land Ryan Gosling I can assure you there wouldn’t be anyone in this place that didn’t know about it.” After order their drinks and taking a sip of her own the brunette shrugged slightly knowing that some could find it difficult to get their own head around her mindset. “Is it too trite to just say life? I had a pretty good day at work, one of my patients finally got the all clear and I’ve got two days off so I thought I might as well celebrate.” Pausing slightly she tries to put it in a simpler way when her way of talking a mile a minute often didn’t lend itself well to putting her points across clearly. “If you don’t celebrate the little things then life is just too dull.”

Sitting at the bar, Dominic was threatening getting another drink. He usually didn’t get drunk in bars, he’d drink enough to feel tipsy, and then spend the rest of his money on alcohol from the liquor store and then proceed to drink, if need be. The male felt slightly lightheaded but not nearly as much as he craved. Before he was able to order another drink the brunette sat next to him causing him to turn and look at her. Unable to get a word in, Dominic raised an eyebrow at the girl, a smile crossing over his features. “You sure there’s no catch? You’re not flirting with me or something?” Dominic teased, narrowing his eyes slightly as he looked at her before breaking back into the smile that he previously wore. “I mean, it’d be a shame. I’ve been sitting here all night and no one has offered me a drink with a side of hot and heavy flirting, I’m a little offended.” Dominic was a sarcastic person, at least that’s what he put off until he got to know a person better. Even then, he was pretty sarcastic. It wasn’t always his best quality but in this case, it wasn’t the worst. “I guess since you’re offering and you did give me a version of the hand which means I can’t say no, I guess, since I’m being held hostage, I’ll take an Old Fashioned.” 

Eyes widened as his narrowed putting on a look of pure innocence and lips parted in pretence of being shocked at the very thought of her offer not being genuine. “Absolutely not. This is completely innocent - just like me.” The grin she flashes him accompanied with the glint in her eyes seemed to suggest that she’s anything but. Shaking her head she can’t help but wonder exactly why no one had when she’d never had any trouble interacting with him in the past, even if they’d never gotten around to exchanging meaningful information instead of quips and what they thought passed as witty comments. “You mean not one person all night has given you bedroom eyes?” Shifting to move in front of him slightly so she could order at the bar, her next words are delivered as she tries to get the bartender’s attention. “Well we can’t have that now, can we?” Looking back at him over her shoulder Lalita does her best to give him what she hopes passes for something close to what she’d described, going as far as to raise her hand up in her commitment to the joke. But it doesn’t last long as a giggle bubbles up at how ridiculous she no doubt looks and breaks whatever fleeting moment she might have achieved of something close to flirting. A shrug is given at what she seems her failed attempt. “Sorry to disappoint, TDH, but hot and heavy really isn’t my style.” Bumping her shoulder into his arm slightly the brunette grins up at him. “Come on, there are worse ways to spend your night than being held hostage by a young woman.” Any other argument she might have made for her case are cut off as she finally gets the bartender’s attention. “Can I get a Cosmo for me and an Old Fashioned for Mr Mysterious over here please.” With a tilt of her head she motions to him before turning to face him with a look of complete seriousness on her features. “So, you come here often?”

“I’m a beer girl myself. Or tequila.” She admitted with a nod, a smile forming on her pink stained lips. She didn’t go out much, especially now that she had a three month old son, but tonight he was being watched by his fathers family and she knew, there was nothing to worry about while Nico was with them so she decided to enjoy a night out. Her eyes remained trained on what the bar had on tap. Turning her attention to the bartender, she pointed with a grin. “I’ll have that one, thanks.” Turning to look at the brunette, she gave a brief nod and a genuine smile. “Thanks by the way… I really needed this.” She muttered, pointing to the beer that was gently set before her.

“We’ll go beer first and save the tequila for later.” There’s a glint in her eyes that speaks of nothing but trouble of the most innocent kind. She smiles at her new companion, gently waving away her thanks when gratitude hadn’t been her motivation. “No problem. I figured everyone is in that ‘pay it forward’ mindset these days but someone needs to start it off.” As she places their order she considers the blonde and can’t help but wonder what kind of evening she might have interrupted, albeit with good intentions. Handing the pint over Lalita poses her question, not willing to impose too much when she was sure she could find someone else in the mood for a good time if the woman would rather be by herself. “Enjoying a quiet night on your own or have I taken someone’s seat?”

“Fuckin’ hell you’re in a good mood today.” Roxy chuckled from her seat, normally she’d be annoyed at someone interrupting her bubble, but Lalita? She was an expectation. Marking her place in her textbook, she did this time fully laugh, rolling her eyes a bit. “You know I’m a scotch girl, thank you sugar.”

“You say that like I’m not every day. Clearly I need to work on my pep.” The words are light as she settles herself down next to the blonde. With a nod she acknowledges the other woman’s drink of choice. “I do but I figured you might have surprised me.” Catching the bartenders attention she places their order before turning back towards her friend. “How’ve you been?”

Ranae was out doing her own thing for the night. She had the night off from the bar but still decided to stick around and get a bite to eat from the place and have a couple of beers. Relaxing in her seat, she was watching the game before looking over at the woman who sat down in and empty seat at her table. She snorted and rolled her eyes, “Hi to you too, Lalita,” she replies, having known her from when they were teenagers. “Well I’d never say no to a drink so anything bourbon related would be nice,” she replies with a half smile. 

At the other woman’s greeting Lalita smiled somewhat sheepishly before instantly turning the situation into something more of a joke. She’d come there to enjoy her evening and in her haste skipped right over the formalities her mother had tried so hard to impress upon her. “I guess I forgot my manners, don’t tell my mother - she’d faint from the embarrassment.” As her offer is accepted she grins. “Which is exactly why you’re my kinda girl.” A nod is sent Ranae’s way as she mulls over what she could order. “What kind of evening are you looking to have? A quiet one or something a little more fun.”

“— and you know that I’m not the biggest fan of that nickname.” Obviously being that it was Lalita, she could get away with practically anything and everything if not completely anything and everything when it came to her older brother. “I know a lot actually, especially when it comes to you and I know what you’re doing.” Jeremy stated, pointing his at his sister. “I know that you’re here to make sure I don’t back out and I know that this dinner with the whole family is important to you. — I also know that you know I’d rather not spend an evening listening to Aryun, Dad, or Mom go on and on about how perfect everything is.” In Jeremy’s opinion the only one in their family that didn’t put on a perfect persona was Lalita, which was why she was obviously his favorite. Jeremy may have put on facades and covered up things about himself to make himself look better but he was a petty hypocrite. In his head he was allowed to hate them for it but adore himself. “So here’s the deal, I’ll go but as soon as I give you the sign—” raising his hand up, Jeremy tapped the side of his nose with his index finger before letting his hand fall back down, demonstrating the sign he’d used many times before with his sister. “I’m outta there and you can’t be upset with me about it.” 

“I know.” There was no guilt in her tone and instead she flashed him an unapologetic grin, knowing full well that her eldest brother had always struggled to say no to her. It was something she tried her best not to take too much advantage of but sometimes it was almost too easy. A gasp of mock innocence left her lips at his accusation and the brunette shook her head vehemently, only for humour when they both knew that he had her number when she’d never been particularly subtle. “I’m doing nothing of the sort. But if I were would it really be that much of a crime?” Taking a bite of her sandwich she couldn’t help but silently agree with Jeremy. As much as she loved her parents and other brother the pretence that they liked to keep up was exhausting. It was all honeyed words and rose tinted glasses and for all she was an optimist the whole thing was often far too forced and she was someone who had always craved the genuine in life. “Fine, fine. You’re right. So save me from all that boring perfection and mix it up a little!” Brown eyes narrow playfully as she pretends to consider his offer but eventually she extends out her hand. “Deal- providing you stay at least an hour. You know I could never be upset with you. Our family is, after all, a lot to handle. It’s just more manageable with you there.”

It was one hell of a day; multiple stab wounds, a few gun shot wounds, a few kids who hit their heads too hard on the ground from dropping a few feet from the ground. It was a typical day for Riley in the emergency room and she was thankful to be back home. As soon as she walked through the door, she realized the house was empty - but her roommate was soon to join her. Setting her purse down on the couch, Riley made a line for the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of wine and began pouring two glasses; she knew she wasn’t the only one who had a long day.

The love she had for her job didn’t diminish the fact that she usually felt exhausted after a shift. All the adrenaline and the buzz that she got from helping her patients kept her going throughout the day but as soon as her shift finished she knew her only two choices were to keep going or head home for some rest. As she entered the house and saw the blonde pouring two glasses of wine Lalita grinned. “You know, the longer I live with you the more convinced I am that you’re an angel. How else can you get it so right every time?” Slipping her coat and shoes off she made her way over to Riley. “How was your day?”