𝙼𝙰𝙳𝙼𝙰𝚇

will liked helping his mother out at the general store; even though he already had a gig at the arcade, he found it soothing to restock the shelves and organize them how he saw fit. it also made her feel more secure, knowing his whereabouts, even though they lived together and he made sure he came home every night — not that he had too many other places to be, anyway. as he lifted himself off his knees, carrying a crate full of colored paper that belonged in the craft section, he noticed ahead of fiery red hair bobbing over the shelves and his eyebrows pinched together before he began following it. “max?” he said. “hey. what are you here for? anything i can help with?”

THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS had been like the beginning of a nightmare, one that max already lived and almost didn’t make it through. though during daylight she would convince herself veronica had just packed her bags and left this fucking helltown, max couldn’t stop thinking about him during the night, his voice seeping through every thought, every memory… which is probably why she was standing in front of the liquor aisle, one bottle of evan williams in her hands, eyebags almost as dark as her maroon shirt. “will!” she turned around slowly, feeling somewhat caught. “oh, you know, just shopping for essentials. i might set fire to something later.” and there she went, deflecting again, with a sardonic smile and a shrug. might drink yourself to dead just like your mom is trying to, said a voice in the back of her mind. at least it was her own.

The Hideaway isn't exactly one of her favorite places but she did enjoy coming around every once in awhile. Spotting the reason for her visit, her only reason as she passes by drunken rambling and the heady aroma of cigarette smoke. " Excuse me, bartender, I would like one beer please. " Calling out over the shiny countertop of the bar, seating herself on the edge of the barstool. Her chin is held in her propped up hand as she lulls with nonchalance and a hint of humor on the corner of her lips. " Actually I hear your ' liquor ' is very good. I will have one of those please. " El jokes as she eyes her best friend before she places a paper bag on the counter.

ONE OF THE ONLY PEOPLE capable of bringing a genuine, unrestrained smile to max’s lips was eleven. even in the crowded, dim light atmosphere of the hideaway, her presence was like a lighthouse. “are you sure you can handle my liquor?” she teased, turning her attention completely towards el and hoping the other bartender could handle their own for a while. “i’m honestly surprised hopper is even letting you out with all the shit that’s going down. not that you should listen to what anyone says, anyway.” she leaned on the counter, eyeing the paper pag suspiciously. “what’s that?”

”WHEN DID YOU get so old and wise? you can buy alcohol now, serve it – better than me, might i say.“ there it was again. the flash of a toothy grin before it was tucked away behind reserved lips. "still can’t get you to join hellfire though. i’m still working on my best sales pitch just for you." 

“it’s gotta be a hell of a pitch to convince me to join your nerd club.” she said, throwing her cleaning rag at eddie’s direction. perhaps a couple of years ago the words would be cutting, but now the teasing was lighthearted, accompanied by a smile. 

regardless  ,  he  propped  his  front  door  open  —  so  people  could  come  and  go  as  they  pleased  —  and  made  a  beeline  for  the  drinks  he’d  lined  up  on  his  kitchen  counter.  he  gave  himself  permission  to  mix  a  bunch  of  random shit  together  without  even  reading  any  of the labels  and  took  a  long sip.  it  tasted  like  he’d  mixed  all  the  cleaning  supplies  his mother forced him to purchase ( though he knew he definitely wouldn't use them very often )  ;  it  felt  like  he  was  drinking  bleach.  he  looked  up  ,  gagging  ,  right  as  someone  entered  his  house.  they were early. just great.  “  uh  ,  hey , does  all  alcohol  taste  like  shit  ?  or  is  it  just  bad  because  i  mixed  them  all  together  ?  “  he forced to laugh. even though  he felt  like  the  dumb  kid  who  combined  all  the  soft  drinks  together  at  a  gas  station , he sniffed his drink before taking another ( smaller ) sip , fighting back a grimace.

and trouble definitely seemed what dustin was up to as soon as she entered his kitchen. “jesus henderson, do you wanna have the worst hangover of your life?” she rolled her eyes. to anyone else the bitting tone might indicate annoyance, but there was clear fondness in the way max’s lips quirked with amusement. “give me that.” she threw the concoction down the drain with no remorse before putting a rum and coke together. the motion was almost mechanical by now, with all her nights spent working at the hideaway. ‘it might still taste like shit but at least we will not taking you to the hospital tonight. seriously. i refuse to be the driver if anyone passes out.”