#stranger things max

"I'll sign in later!" he called, walking the path as he had a thousand times, morning, evening, hopeful and lost.

"I'm here for moral support!" said Robin, following him.

"Miss Buckley- Miss Buckley!"

The elevator doors slid open for them, well, hardly and Mike was sliding between them, looking at the numbers. On one floor his parents fought for their lives, another so did you.

He only hoped you knew how much he needed you. Perhaps he didn't say it enough. In fact, he knew he didn't. Now he wished he'd said it to you, to his parents, his sisters. You were trapped in Vecna's mind, fighting a losing battle. For his sister.

God he hoped you wouldn't do anything stupid. He needed you, Steve needed you. Everybody needed you.

Robin had only just stepped in when a ginger- Vickie, he guessed- grabbed her arm.

"We need to talk."

"Yeah."

Mike watched as Robin gave in. "I-hey, Robin!"

"I've got to deal with this first, just go!"

The doors were sliding shut on him. "But what about the plan?"

Mike was closed into the elevator.

He could do this. Even then there wasn't much he had to do. Be there for you, play your song and beg. Beg for you to give them- him one last chance.

If your brother knew what he was doing without him, Mike was dead anyway.

Your room was cold, empty. Mike didn't want it cosy because he didn't want you there, he wanted you at your house where he could walk in and annoy Steve with his presence just to get you to laugh. He wanted you in his basement, watching him and the others play DnD and cheering the loudest.

Steve had brought a blanket from his room and kept it draped over the end of your bed. Your childhood teddy was also tucked up with you at Steve's request.

Mike sat down, pulling the chair up to you.

You were as pale as always, as quiet as you always were and still, un-flinching.

He'd left Will at the WSQK, trapped in Vecna's mind but his eyes had been moving under the eyelids.

There was nothing from you.

Mike put in your tape, rewinding it and starting again. As the first notes of Fleetwood Mac's 'Silver Springs' came on, Mike hesitantly took your hand.

He felt how cold it was and squeezed. "Please," he begged. "Please."

You could be my Silver Springs,

Blue, green an' colours flashin,

He wondered if you were fighting. If every day of your life had been a fight or just more of what you were here. Desolate.

"You have to wake up," he uttered. When others visited you, any of your friends, Mike would sit stiff in his chair, never admitting that he spoke to you.

Steve did. Your older brother always sat in and told you about his day. He encouraged Mike to but sometimes it just didn't feel right. He was always waiting for your reply and nothing every came.

"Please, you-you have to. This is serious and ... we can't do this without you. I can't do this without you."

And don't say that's she's pretty,

And did you say that she loves you.

Baby, I don't wanna know.

"Holly!" you yelled, pulling her arm as you dragged her through the tunnel system she had found.

Typical Wheeler, always thinking they knew best and somehow you'd always be the one picking up the pieces.

Sand kicked up your feet as you ran, following what system you could. That was what they'd said, El or however else they reached you through Vecna. Finally, they'd found a way to reach you. Your friends, your brother... Mike.

Had they really been counting on you this whole time.

You skid to a stop with Holly, staring down the wall of rocks. "No... no... no..."

"Why did that man try to hurt Henry?" asked Holly, voice trembling, eyes wide with fear. "Why hurt Henry? He was only trying to help."

"I don't know," you say, distracted with trying to find a way out.

When you'd first found it was Holly Vecna had stolen away you knew it was the time to strike. Not because you knew Holly had a trick up her sleeve, although she was full of surprises, because you couldn't live with yourself if you let anything happen to her.

If this was even living.

"Is that what made Henry bad?" asked Holly with a chocked sob.

You looked back to her, finding the fear in her eyes that you once saw in yours. You fell to your knees in front of her. She had Mike's eyes. "I don't know but I do know it's over and we have to get out of here. We have to keeping going, keep moving ahead. Okay?"

It was a small movement but there. A nod.

"Okay, okay that's good, you just need to-"

There was a sudden rift of music, a waft of it caught in the wind or something like it. You pawed at the rocks, pulling them apart until your hands were small cuts and nothing else.

Your song.

Time cast a spell on you,

But you won't forget me.

Mike, he hadn't forgot you. All he had to do was hold on a little longer, you were both getting out of there.

Mike thought he saw a twitch to your eyes but it couldn't have been, It could only have been hope that had him seeing things-

"Mike, it's Robin!" called a static voice, echoing around the room.

For a moment Mike looked around confused before he realised it was the intercom. "A Demo is heading your way! Do you hear me?! A Demo is coming for her! You need to get out of there, get her out of there! Take the elevator, they're on the stairwell! We'll meet you in the basement!"

With a harsh screech it ended and Mike was already on his feet. Fear blinded him to your life. He couldn't fight a Demo and protect you, he wasn't the mage.

The lights in the room flashed, the equipment monitoring your life went crazy.

Was he going to let you down again?

Mike threw your favourite blanket over you (the basement may have been cold) and scooped you up in his arms, holding tight. Still, you didn't stir. "Okay, okay, you and me, we can do this. We can do this."

Afterall, he wasn't alone. He had you, and for extra measure Mike grasped the boom box and left.

Turn around, see me runnin'

I'll say I loved you years ago,

Tell myself you never loved me.

The corridor was empty. Not a screech or a scratch of a Demo, or Robin. The lights flickered like a storm and Mike got sights of the elevator. He rushed it, sliding down the floor and almost falling into the elevator.

He hoped he didn't bump you. "Shit, sorry!"

A grown sounded from in front of him, too close and quickly Mike kicked the basement level button, getting the 'doors close' button too.

Demodogs.

Three bashed into the wall following whatever scent of reason they had.

They'd already gotten to you once. They'd never get another chance again.

The realisation that Mike wouldn't let anything happen to you spurred him on.

"Try it assholes!" he yelled to them.

Try they did. They growled and screeched, getting closer and closer.

"Shit-shit-shit-"

The Demodog launched and Mike swung the boombox at the Demo. In success the Demodog fell back, hurt.

So was the boombox.

Time casts a spell on you but you won't forget me,

I know I could have loved you but you would not let me-

The doors slide shut and Mike could tell what he'd done. Got rid of the key you had. The music was low, quiet in a way that maybe couldn't reach you, In desperation to attack and keep you safe he may have doomed you.

He looked down, watching, waiting for a sign. For the seconds he had alone with you he pressed his lips to your head and for the first time, prayed.

The lights down the basement were flickering when Mike got out, stumbling around. It turned out he needed the music as much as you, without that and without you he couldn't breathe.

"Woah- Jesus-"

"Holy sh-" Mike skid around the corner, almost bumping into Robin and Vickie, shielding your body away from impact.

Robin took Mike's arm, pulling at him. "C'mon, C'mon, C'mon-"

"They're coming!" yelled Mike, following them.

"We gotta go!"

"Which way?!"

They turned a corner, the shadows of the Demodogs meeting them.

"Here!"

"What the hell is going on?" screamed Robin as they rushed the other way.

Mike caught your blanket as it slipped. "Vecna! He must know what we're doing! Or she's close to getting out!" He hoped you were close. But then what would you wake up to? Demodogs at your feet? A fight at once.

"Here, go! Go!"

"Okay, come on!" Vickie held the door open to the laundry room, locking it behind her.

"What now?" asked Mike, looking around for something.

The lights went up and down, keeping them clueless as they pulled and pushed their way to-

To locked doors. It was a dead end. Going back the way they came was out of options and unless they could kick down steel doors... trapped. They were trapped.

"Hide!" said Robin. "Hide!"

Mike collapsed down behind a pile of washing machines.

I'll follow you down 'till the sound of my voice will haunt you-

Mike pulled you into his chest, curling himself over you and covering your legs with the blanket. You were cold, so cold. What did that mean? Were you closer- further away from him? He laid his cheek against yours, eyes tight shut. If he was gonna go, at least he'd go with you.

"Please, please, please," he whispered into your ear. "Wake up, please, please."

Robin and Vickie were talking but Mike didn't hear their words. He only felt you and listened in close to your breathing, begging for a change in it.

The door clattered, breaking from it's hinges as the familiar dread-filling screeches of Demodogs followed.

Mike pulled his knees up, folding you into him. His eyes closed on instinct, his hand coming up and cupping your face, thumb soothing over your cheek

You'll never get away from the sound of the woman that loves you,

Was I just a fool?

"Mike," Robin whispered, gaining his attention. "We have to turn it off."

He shook his head, lips pressed into a thin line, dark hair sticking to his forehead.

Robin seemed resolved. "We have to-" she reached out to the box.

"No," whispered Mike in great urgency, shifting the boom box away from her, glaring at her like she was the villain. "No, she's coming back."

Robin shook her head.

"She's coming back."

The growls and yells of the creatures stirred closer, the three huddling in.

I'll follow you down 'till the sound of my voice that haunts you,

Give me just a chance!

One was above them, the last two on either side. In the reflection of a small circular mirror, Mike watched them gain on them but he was distracted by your body and his. How limp you were and how he consumed it. It was like seeing everything he felt on the outside.

He hadn't done enough, never said I love you like he wanted to, didn't hold your hand just to feel you. Never again.

Suddenly there was a new clatter. Metal on metal, like coins being left in the dryer. It distracted them and got the attention of the Demodogs. There was nothing in the reflection, nothing to tell them help was coming-

Boom!

Heat burst in the other room, blowing up machines and windows. Small shards of glass and rock rained down on them and Mike threw himself over you, taking the rocks on head and the cuts to his back.

Once the dust had settled they slowly helped themselves up to their feet, clearing a path from the rubble.

The lights were stable, only swinging in the destruction as little fires kept up.

Mike's hair stuck to his forehead with sweat and adrenaline as he held you closer. "What the hell was that?"

There was a grunt and groan of pain and for a brief moment, Mike thought it came from you.

But then a body, tall, lean and hobbling limped it's way through the shadow: all hospital gown and mad, wild, curled hair.

Mike almost lost his breath.

"Mom?"

The sky was still red. The land still dead as it always had been the dozen times you'd made it there, to the void. Where once you had first come to the place alone, scared, now it was a holiday to you. You knew it would be a puddle of water, you knew it was cold and where the jagged edges met the dead trees.

Only this time there was a light to head towards. An ending.

"Mike."

In the real world your boyfriend stood, leaner, hair shorter but curlier than the last time you'd seen him. It was like a dream. And there you were, in his arms.

You'll never get away from the sound of the woman that loves you,

Holly smiled at the sight of her brother and you remembered how badly you wanted to see your own. Was he there? Was he safe? "Mike."

"Holly, wait-" you stopped her as she went to the light. "Holly, I'm so sorry but you can't come with me."

Her body shivered in confusion. "Wh-what?"

You took her arms, soothing her. "I'm sorry, I am. But this light leads to me. Your somewhere else. You have to find your own way."

"But how?" cried Holly, desperately trying to hold herself up and together. "I-I don't have Fleetwood Mac, I don't even know who he is."

You smiled to yourself, bending to see her. "You don't need Fleetwood Mac. It's funny, I always thought it was the music tethering me, giving me hope or something. But I don't need it and neither do you. You just need something to connect you to the real world... to home, for me."

Behind Holly's fear there was almost disgust at the prospect of that being her brother for you. "Yours is Mike."

You smiled, eyes welling up in tears of hope that you'll hold him again soon. "Yeah. Yeah it is."

Soon.

"C'mon, please... please."

You'll never get away from the sound of the woman that loves you,

Give me just a chance!

In the middle of the chaos Mike had laid you down to a table, bunching up his sweater to keep your head comfy and the blanket draped over your legs where the scratchy hospital gown didn't reach to keep you warm.

You song had already ended once and repeated again.

He didn't care if Robin, if Vickie- even his mom were standing around and watching. He held your hand and talked you through waking.

"We're all here," he said, uttering it to you, hunched over the table. Your hand grew warm, but most likely due to the fact it was cupped in his. "If you're in there.... please come back."

Robin was at your other side, taking the place of your brother that should have been there.

Mike wiped at a tear that fell from his cheek. "I love you."

Nothing-

Then, a flicker in your eyes. Not enough to catch the colour he fell in love with but enough to tell him you were there.

"Yes!" he said, voice strained in the need to not be the one crying. "Yes, I do, I love you. I love you so much, it hurts! It hurts that you're not here."

There was a bounce to your eyelids. A flicker of your lashes.

"Keep going!" motivated Robin.

Mike did. He kept a hold on your hand and brushed back your hair with the other. "Hey, hey can you hear me? You're doing great, I'm here.... I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere. Ever."

You fingers trembled and your eyes were still trying to gage with the light when your lips parted, dry but trying.

There was a scrunch of effort to your brows.

"M-m... Mike?"

He cried. He wasn't ashamed to admit it or have his mom see from where she stood at the end of the table.

"Yes, yes it is," he smiled, the salt of his own tears cracking in his lips. "Come on, open your eyes, all the way-"

Your lips were still moving soundlessly when your eyes opened and met his.

Mike smiled, a chuckle escaping him as he found your eyes for the first time in eighteen months. He realised, looking into them, he'd almost forgotten their depth. Almost.

Your eyes searched him. "Mike?"

"Yeah, yeah it's me," he said. He leant over you to shield the lights from your gaze. "Hi."

You smiled. "Hey."

Mike's hands grasped at your cheeks. "Hey. You're here."

You gulped, eyes trying to look around. "Where-"

"Hospital," he said, blinking away tears. "You took your sweet time in coming back, huh?"

You chuckled as best you could. "Believe me, I had it my way I-I wouldn't have left."

Mike smiled again. His hands were shaking as they brushed back your hair. "Are you- are you hurt?" he looked around you, trying to see any scratches, wondering if your limbs worked.

You looked around, focused on something he couldn't tell. "I can't- can't feel much," you admitted, some fear coming to you. "And the lights are- lights are-"

"You haven't used your eyes or your muscles in a really long time, okay," said Vicky. "Your body is just weak. It just needs to re-adjust and learn again. But you're gonna be okay."

Mike thanked her with a smile and looked back down at you.

You looked at him, a slight confusion in his eyes. "Who's that?"

"It's Vicky," said Robin, coming into your eyeline. "She's a- a friend."

Your eyes widened, a twitch to your fingers. "Robin?"

"Hey," she greeted, quickly wiping her cheeks dry of tears. "Hey, sweetie."

"Is- is Steve here?" you asked.

Robin looked to Mike, wondering what she should do. "No, but we're going to get him right after this, yeah?"

"Is he-is he okay?" you asked.

Mike smiled. God, how could he not love you when you've only just woken from hell and asking about your big brother.

"He's fine, better when he sees you," said Robin, a soft touch to your shoulder.

You managed a nod, looking back to Mike.

He squeezed your hand when he caught your gaze. He lent back down, closer to you so your voice had time. "Huh? What was that? What'd you say?"

Your breath ghosted his ear. "I love you too."

You sat, eagerly waiting upon your brothers return while everyone else went to the upside down to fetch him, Dustin, Nancy and Jonathon. It had been a sweet reunion with all your friends your middle school science teacher, and Hopper who- you kinda thought was dead.

But there was only one person left you wanted to see.

Max and Mike stayed with you, Mike behind your wheel chair, the designated driver for you and Max was almost as keen as Mike to never leave your side. She held your hand as the party returned.

Someone must have told Steve you were alive, back and kept to wheelchair use but slowly getting feeling back in your limbs.

He came out the portal, frantic and not focusing on one thing. "Well- where? Where is she? Is she here is she- where?!"

"Turn around!" called Mike, already back to being annoyed at his girlfriends brother.

Steve turned around and dropped his torch.

Tears sprung to you at once.

"Hi." After eighteen months it was the only thing you could think of and yet it was more than Steve dreamt.

He chocked a sob and pushed by everyone to see you, dropping to his knees and half embracing you and the wheel chair. You couldn't have hugged him back even if you wanted to with how hard he squeezed you. His head rested on your shoulder and he cried.

Max and Mike took a step back- and only a step- to give the Harrington siblings some time.

"God, I missed you, you little idiot," Steve whispered, hand rubbing up and down your back.

You chuckled, tears falling again. "The first thing you call me in eighteen months and it's mean?"

Steve laughed into your shoulder. He pulled back, hands holding either side of your head. "My little idiot." He kissed the top of your forehead as everyone watched.

Once they all may have thought Steve was a douchebag and maybe it almost seemed like you would end up the same. But nobody could deny either of you would lay down your lives and never more quickly than you'd do it for each other.

Steve got to his feet, taking a deep breath and wiping at his eyes, now red.

Nancy smiled at you. "Hey kid."

"Hey," you smiled. In spite of not getting Holly like you wanted it was a small comfort to know she'd be alive, and at least they got you back.

Steve scoffed and opened his arms wide. "Oh god, come here kid."

It wasn't his sister he embraced but Mike.

You laughed as Mike was stuck, frozen in Steve's embrace as his arms stayed lifted without touching him. Your brother pulled back, getting a look at Mike and you had the idea that this was finally Steve's approval. That finally, maybe when everything had got back to normal you could have a date in peace, with Mike.

Steve looked between you and Mike, proud. With an arm still around Mike he reached out and ruffled your hair.

Everyone around smiled, chuckled.