#I was thinking a hospital scene maybe? or something with just Jane and Max? But that didnt seem right

[eatingsomegreeneggos]

Femslash February Day 18: Loss - El(u)max 💔

[strangerthingfanfic]

Chapters 2-4 (thank you for reading. Hope to update again in a week but with the holidays I'm not sure)

Chapter 2: Messages

Steve

Steve’s head ached. He still wasn't fully healed and now this. Life was just throwing stones at him.

He tried to get comfortable but the pain was terrible. He felt a hand on his neck.

Looking over he saw Dacre and he was slowly massaging his neck. He knew exactly what spots to hit and which to avoid.

He hummed a song Steve didn't recognize while he did it but it was relaxing.

“Joe loves this song so I thought it might relax you as well” Dacre said as a knock sounded at the door.

“Who is it ?” Dacre asked, obviously annoyed at the interruption.

“It's Sadie and the gang we wanted to check on Joe” was the reply from outside of the door.

Dacre told Steve he would send them off. Steve nodded and covered himself with the blanket.

Opening the door Dacre was ambushed by a group of teens who kinda just pushed their way in.

Gaten put some flowers on the desk next to Steve's side and said “Hey, it's Gaten, get better soon Joe we miss you”.

It took every inch of Steve's willpower not to throw the blanket off and give him a huge hug.

It happened with each one especially when it came to Sadie. She sounded so much like Max who was comatose in his world while he was stuck here and that made him heated than he had been.

People needed him. His “kids” needed him. He couldn't do it anymore. He knew his scars would give him away but fuck it.

Throwing off the blanket he startled everyone in the room, especially Dacre.

“Dacre, I know you wanted me to stay hidden but I couldn't. My name is Steve Harrington and I came from another world or some shit.

In my world Billy is dead and Max is in a coma. I need to get back to her. I'm the only parent-type figure she has” Steve said crying.

Silence. Then questions started flying in every direction from “has Joe gone mad?” to “tell us more about the other us”!

“Everyone settle down,” Dacre said with a demanding tone and the room became silent.

“Now if Steve is ok with it he can explain to us as much as he can and you have to listen with your ears because he hasn't gone insane he has just become lost,” Dacre said looking sadly at Steve but Steve knew he was seeing Joe not him.

Taking a deep breath Steve said “it's 1986 and I just watched a good friend die, Max is in the hospital in a coma, her mom is around physically but that is all, while her stepdad took off after Billy was killed by a mind flayer”.

Steve stopped there and looked at both Dacre and Sadie. Dacre was unreadable while Sadie was figuring it all out in her head.

Steve didn't know what to say so he continued “Lucas hasn't left Max’s side and if it wasn't for Jane and her powers Max would be dead.

Will is becoming more and more secluded due to his unreturned feelings for a very clueless Mike.

Dustin is just trying to get over our friend Eddie's death by killer bats in the upside down and that's where this story starts.

I was going to comfort Dustin but I passed out. I thought maybe it was venom from the bats but after hearing Joe passed out too I don't think it's that.

I believe that Vecna wanted to separate us to weaken the group.

With Joe there, an actor who knows nothing about the world or the upside down the team will have to switch their focus to him.

Hopefully, something or someone will figure this shit out fast because I think with me here vecna may be able to open a gate to the upside down in your realm”.

The silence returned.

The tv in the room switched on and everyone jumped. Then they saw that the remote was up by the tv and no one had turned it on causing their confusion to become fear.

There was a news story playing. “Investigators found a badly destroyed body after this scene played out this morning”.

They switched to footage of a teen girl floating in the air and her body breaking and bending limb by limb until she fell.

And then the tv switched off.

“He's here. He's fucking here Steve said as he started to get out of bed.

Dacre pushed him back down and looking at him with the a same piercing blue eyes that Billy would stare him down with didn't have to say a word for Steve to lay down again.

“For now we need to think. We need to plan. We need to stick together. None of this leaves this room. Since it's not all over social media this was a warning. A threat and we cannot let whomever this Vecna guy is break us down.

We will get Joe back and we will stop psychotic evil forces from killing everyone but first Steve has to rest” Dacre said with passion.

And with that, he walked the others to their hotel rooms and the came back to his. Steve had his legs pulled to his chest.

“Maybe just maybe if I had noticed the pain Billy was going through at home he would've been a helpful addition” Steve whimpered as he buried his face between his knees.

Dacre didn't say a word but wrapped his arms around him. This was a time for resting not self-blame so he would ask later about more details.

Before either noticed they were both asleep embraced in each other's arms.

Chapter 3: Real

The whispering around him woke Joe up but he didn't let anyone know he was awake. He honestly didn't remember falling asleep.

He heard them wondering what to do and if they should really believe him.

“It could be poisoning from the bats” he heard a man say.

“That's impossible Wayne he has no bruising or anything on him. That's not Dingus” said a female voice.

“Yeah Wayne when are you going to let us in on how you know about all this” another female voice chimed in.

Slow steady breathing and then the man who must be Wayne said “I moved here long ago to study the upside down. I had read many myths about Hawkins and its shadowed vale so I had to prove it.

When I heard about Eddie's death and what happened to Max all my theories were proven.

All we can hope now is that it's not too late to stop Vecna and save Max and all of Hawkins” Wayne said.

Joe decided he had heard enough and sat up. Everyone looked at him.

“I'm really in Hawkins aren't I” Joe murmured finally accepting the truth.

“Yes you are but we are going to get you home don't worry,” Wayne said trying to keep he relaxed.

“Can I ask something?” Joe asked softly, fearing the answer. Wayne nodded and Joe asked, “where is Billy”?

The room fell silent and Joe got his answer. “Is he buried close by?” Joe said starting to stand up.

Nancy responded first “I will take you” she said and got up as well.

Jonathan got up as well and the three of them headed out the door.

The drive to the cemetery was quiet and seemed to take forever.

Joe stared absently out the window at the mostly destroyed Hawkins.

When they pulled up to the cemetery his chest knotted up and it hurt to breathe. He didn't truly understand why but it was happening so he couldn't do much about it.

Getting out of the car Joe didn't need a tour guide to find the grave. He let his heart guide him.

When he got to the grave he collapsed to his knees. The tears started to flow and he put his hand on the cold headstone.

Between grief for a loss he never suffered and anger for the lack of love and caring on the tombstone for a man he never knew, Joe just wanted to scream.

After a while, Joe got up, looked around and headed to the patch of flowers growing on the edge of the cemetery.

Nancy held Jonathan's hand as they watched the man so dearly in pain and mourning and even though they didn't understand they kept silent.

Picking some flowers he took them back to Billy's grave and set them by the grotesque headstone.

“I will not let your grave be as cold as the hearts that buried you here,” Joe said as he placed them.

He placed his hand one last time on the headstone and walked back to the car and silently got in.

The drive back to Nancy's house was silent but tense. Both Nancy and Jonathan could feel the anger and hurt emanating from Joe.

When they returned Joe silently followed Nancy and Jonathan in and sat on the couch refusing to make eye contact with anyone in the room.

After an hour of complete silence, Joe finally said “I don't care what kind of person Billy was, he was a young man who was abused his whole life and was trying to survive on autopilot. He didn't know any better. I somehow have Steve’s memories of Billy and yes he was a jerk but I am guessing we have all been assholes in our lifetime. No one, even Billy Hargrove deserves such a cold and heartless run-of-the-mill headstone and no flowers at that. Seriously even in death, no one in this damn town could show him he was worth love.

I really don't understand how I know all this about Billy but I know it's true. I know in my heart that it's true and I'm in so much pain”.

No one said a word. Guilt plagued their minds.

“Can I see Max?” Joe asked with venom dripping in every word. He knew he was scaring Dustin and the others but he couldn't help it. The pain was real.

Wayne offered to take him and this time Dustin jumped up to go too. He ran over and took Joe's hand which he had to admit calmed him down a bit.

The trip to the hospital consisted of Wayne and Dustin sharing memories of their friend Eddie. Joe knew they experienced loss that was much more real than his but it felt real and at that point, that's all that mattered.

When they reached the hospital they went in and Wayne showed them to Max’s room.

Again, the knotting in his chest, the loss of breath, and the flowing of tears overcame Joe.

He didn't know why he felt these things but he did. It was real. The pain and the tears were all real.

He went over and took Max's hand ignoring the stares from around the room and held it.

“I'm so sorry I couldn't save you, Max. We will figure out how to bring you home” Joe said, squeezing her hand.

The others quietly found a place to sit and they all just prayed for Max and her safe return home.

Chapter 4: Return

It wasn't an exit. Eddie groaned and said “this must be the veil bridge. If we cross it we should get an exit”. Billy just sighed not understanding a word his travel partner had said.

The veil though was nothing neither Eddie nor Billy wasn't ready for after their time in the Upside Down.

Eddie let Billy lead the way. Billy did so without hesitation. He had to get to Max. He had to make sure she was ok.

He had heard her voice and then her screaming. Why was she in this hellish place Munson kept referring to as the Upside Down? What did this doucebag Vecna want with her that Eddie told him about? If Max was hurt in any way Billy was going to kick this Vecna's ass on his own.

Billy wasn't the greatest big brother but he loved Max more than anyone else, most of the time more than himself.

Suddenly an ugly ass bat flew toward Eddie and Billy smashed it with a bat he was carrying. Would've been a home run if he was playing ball.

“Thanks. Those things are what kept me here” Eddie said softly.

Billy just motioned for them to continue. He knew the story. He heard whispers about the savior who made sure others got out at the risk of his own life. He would never be loved like Munson but he didn't care anymore.

They kept walking for what could've been hours, days, months before Billy said they should stop and rest.

They had fought through bats, ugly ass dogs, and more and they were both tired as shit.

“You're nothing like Steve or Max explained to me,'' Eddie said, laying flat on his back and looking up at the void.

“Haha yeah Harrington hates my ass and well Max has every right to curse my name. She is probably glad I'm dead. Oh yeah, she is. I heard her speech” Billy said laying down next to Eddie.

Eddie looked over and noticed Billy was crying. He acted strong but the thought of Max wanting him dead was breaking him.

“That sister of yours is a spitfire. She ran head-first into danger just like you do. She has a way with not-so-flattering words like you do. She also gives more of a shit than she lets on like you do.

Whatever shit ass thing you heard down there, you cannot trust. Vecna only allows what he wants to be heard.

Maybe at first, she wanted you dead, and was glad you were dead, but it didn't stay that way. It was a pain she kept hidden. It will all work out Billy you'll see” Eddie said trying to help Billy relax.

“Hey, thanks. Most people just write me off” Billy said.

Eddie grinned to himself and said, “I know how it is but when you meet the right people shit just falls into place you will see”.

Billy hoped he was right.

After a bit more rest Billy and Eddie once again started the trek to the end of the bridge.

They finally made it and were exasperated when they saw where they were.

A grave. It was a goddamn grave. They didn't know whose it was but at the moment neither one cared.

Eddie being claustrophobic didn't help matters much.

“Relax Munson, I have an idea. I will push you up through the dirt and then you can lift me out before it rains dirt on me” Billy said.

Before Eddie could say anything, Billy placed his hands on Eddie's sides. “Nice abs there Eddie,” Billy said happily at the red that spread over Eddie's face.

“One, Two, and three” Billy called out and using Eddie as a human drill pushed him up as hard as he could.

After a few grunts and another hard push, Eddie broke ground and then brought Billy up with him.

They both laid on the ground and panted. “Good workout” Billy proclaimed, causing both men too laugh.

Looking at the gravestone they saw Billy's name. “We are definitely in Hawkins,” Billy said, trying not to take offense to his parent's cheapness and laziness though he did wonder who the flowers were from.

Dusting themselves off Eddie led Billy to something he never thought he would see again, his blue Camaro.

“How the hell did you savage this,” Billy said looking it over.

“It helps when you have an uncle who's great with cars,” Eddie said proudly of Wayne.

Eddie was shocked when Billy wrapped his arms around him and cried. “I'm so thankful to you both. You're probably the first person to give a damn” Billy said through the tears.

Eddie rubbed his back and let Billy get the tears out he was taught never to cry.

After a few minutes, they were on the way to the hospital, the last place Eddie placed her while in the veil

Being behind the wheel of the Camaro again, Billy finally started to feel as though things might start going his way.

Both men couldn't believe what Hawkins looked like. “What the hell happened” Eddie exclaimed as they continued on.

“Fuck if I know but we will find out” Billy said turning onto the hospital parking lot.

Both men hurried in and after getting Max's room number they headed upstairs.

Billy took a deep breath, stood in the doorway, and said with flair “Hey Harrington, what the hell happened to my sister”?

[symeraid-s]

My Top 10 TanBunn Moments (Spoilers!)

Before I start, let’s be honest: every moment could be on here. Tan and Bunn are just really adorable together. I tried to compile it to only 10 moments though and really was hard work.

Number 10: The Shower Scene (Ep.10)

The intimacy of this scene is off the charts. There is very little dialogue, but the actions speak louder than words. The way Tan touches Bunn, like he is the most precious thing in the world, just seems so soft. How he carasses his face and pulls him into a kiss and how Bunn kinda melts against him, really make it look, like we are intruding something very private. This is why MaxTul are the superior pairing.

Number 9: The Prison Scene and the Aftermath at Tan’s House (Ep.9)

I couldn't decide which scene I wanted in this spot, so there are two. The first is the conversation Tan and Bunn have, while Tan is in prison, with Bunn getting worried over Tan's injuries and promising to save him, all while Tan stares at him, like he's the f**ing sun. The second one is in the same episode, when they are back at Tan's house and just cuddling on the couch. Bunn is proud of himself, because he was able to protect Tan for once, but the other promises, that it'll be the only time he would have to protect him. Bunn leans against him, completely content for a moment and Tan just presses a kiss against his forehead and... this scene is just very soft.

Number 8: The Make-Out Scene™ (Ep.7)

It was honestly not the perfect moment to pull a move like this, but holy shit, it's pretty hot. The moment, when Tan caresses Bunn's face only for him to hold his hand, smelling his fingers, uttering the line that somehow was cut out of the episode for no apparent reason, is very intimate. The make out that follows is also very hot and I pray for Tul's scalp. This is the reason, why you get MaxTul in your drama. It seems way too natural.

Number 7: The Proposal (Ep.14)

The complex approach Tan decides to take for his proposal is insane, but at the same time really on brand for his character. He tests how much Bunn trusts in him and then flees with him to the ideal spot where he wants to propose. There, he gets Bunn to open the box for him and read the, actually very sweet, cards he prepared. This is where Bunn realises just how much of an impact his presence had on Tan. He doesn't only love him, he wants to spend the rest of his life with him and this seems to be the first time, Bunn has felt this way about someone too. Because even after all the shit Tan just put him through, he says yes. I still can't comprehend how he got M to tag along for the plan, but it's a very sweet scene nevertheless.

Number 6: “The First Meeting” (Ep.1)

The "first meeting" between these two goes about as well, as one would expect. Tan continously tries to flirt with Bunn and lets him know, that he remembers him from the night before, while Bunn panics at the thought that his childhood friend's boyfriend would flirt with him like that. He backs away a bit and doesn't look him in the eyes, especially when he comes closer. He tries to look at him, when Tan picks the confetti out of his hair, but he only ever glances at him shortly. Still, he gathers all of his courage, to essentially ask him, if he remembers the kiss and Tan confirms it. Tan then turns away and it's very obivous that Bunn was going to call something after him, but in that moment, Jane and Pued ruin the mood. It's a really masterclass of a scene, that really shows off the chemistry between Max and Tul, who can even make the smallest act look intimate.

Number 5: The Cliff Scene (Ep.10)

When Tan points the gun at Bunn, it's like the world stops for them for a few seconds. Bunn calls out for him in a mixture of desperation and fear and Tan just utters those magical words, like an apology. Before Bunn answers, he gives him a small reasurring nod and tells him that he loves him too. With that the world starts turning again and Tan pulls the trigger, watching as the love of his life disappears over the edge of the cliff. He walks to the same spot, as Inspector M walks out of the forest to hold him at gunpoint and Tan looks at him, like he's ready to be with Bunn, so M doesn't hesitate and shoots him of the cliff too. It's all staged of course, but the emotions are still there and still raw.

Number 4: The One in which they aren't interrupted by the Danger Children (Ep.12)

The awkward flirting of these two just seems to get worse as the show goes on, but this scene really hits a homerun with it. Starting with Tan explaining that he's the ugly duckling of his family and Bunn "reasurring" him, that while they are similar he's not the ugly duckling, but also not the swan of the family. It just gets cuter from there. Bunn suggests that he's more of a flamingo then a swan, which Tan seems to take way too literally and just tells him, that if he is, he's Bunn's. It's pretty hilarious. But when he pulls him into his arms and Bunn just kinda... nestles into him, it turns into adorable mush, as Tan tries to get some, because the last time they tried that in this episode, they were interrupted by the danger children and he just wants some quality time with his boyfriend. And then they discover the MacGuffin of the show and it's over. This whole scene also really encapsulates what I love about this show: the dialogue.

Number 3: The Drunken Couch Scene (Ep.5)

It comes a bit out of nowhere, but it's just so great. The way Tan shakes him awake and how Bunn turns to look at him, almost challenging is just really well done. As well as Tan's explanation for why he thinks he's drunk. That little self-depricating line of "How can people like me seduce other people?" is also really in character with Bunn, especially when it's followed up by Tan trying to focus on his eyes, but glancing down at his lips again and again. When Bunn takes the initiative and kisses him, he looks so taken aback, it's almost funny and Bunn just laughs it off. Tan really has to stop himself from kissing him back, instead asking if he was aware of what he just did. And when Bunn confirms it and just walks out, he has that look of pure adoration on his face. It's really just a small scene, but it's so well executed and comes so naturally.

Number 2: The Hospital Scene (Ep.8)

Seeing Tan at Bunn's bedside, begging for his forgiveness is just really hard to watch without getting a bit choked up. The way he holds onto Bunn, like he might die is also heartbreaking. It's really the first time, we see just how much Bunn actually affected Tan and maybe changed him for the better. And Max really shines in this scene.

Number 1: The Return of the King/The Staircase Scene (Ep.10)

The pure desperation in Bunn's voice, when he calls out for Tan and how he holds onto him, like he's afraid he might vanish if he lets go is simply heartbreaking to witness. And Tan does everything to reassure him, that he's there for him. Also, the look on his face, when Bunn asks him if he's okay is just... pure adoration. Like he can't fanthom how this man can still be worried for him after what he put him through. It's simply amazing and Tul really knocks everything out of the park here.

[gideongrace]

heartbroken and human

//This is a scene from my fic "as certain dark things are to be loved" and I love it so much I wanted to also put it here. But! BIG WARNING LABEL - this scene involves Neil and Max and Billy and Max seeing Neil hit Billy for the first time so, ABUSE AHEAD. It also involves siblings figuring their shit out, but you know. Be warned and all that.//

It's dark out by the time Max and Billy get home and again, Max has a bad feeling. She looks over at Billy and she knows he feels it too. It's like there's something in the air, something sharp and spiky, foul and acrid. 

Something dangerous.

Billy turns the headlights off, then cuts the engine and for a moment they both just sit there in the silence and the darkness, not speaking, not moving, barely even breathing. 

This is big, what they've done, it's big and now there are gonna be consequences.

The porch lights turn on and Max gets hit with a wave of nausea so violent it makes her dizzy. 

"Let's get this over with," Billy says as he steps out of the car. He's got this wary, resigned look on his face that Max realizes she's seen before. This time she feels bad for him for it and that… feeling bad for Billy? That's definitely going to take some getting used to.

They walk inside and there's Neil and her Mom, waiting for them right by the door, like guard dogs. They don't even get to taking their shoes off before Neil is screaming, "Where the hell have you been? What the hell did you do?" at Billy. 

Billy shakes his head and averts his eyes and doesn't say anything. It's the second time Max has ever seen him speechless and it freaks her out, seing him defanged like this. 

Neil charges forward and shoves Billy up against the door with a bang and Billy lets him. "Look at me when I'm talking to you!" Neil snarls, hands gripping so tight to Billy's shirt it has to hurt. 

Billy slowly raises his eyes to meet Neil's and for this obedience, Neil slaps him. "What the hell did you do? Do you have any idea how worried we were? We've been out all night looking for the both of you! We almost called the police to report Max as missing!" 

Max hears her Mom sob loudly; she imagines there are probably tears flowing down her face unchecked but she can't take her eyes off Neil and Billy. 

"I'm sorry, Sir," Billy says quietly. He has to fight to keep his eyes on Neil and Neil slams him against the door again. Billy's head hits the glass panel in the middle of the door almost hard enough to break it, the sound is near deafening and for the first time, Max looks over at her mother and wonders why she isn't doing anything to stop this, but Susan is just standing there, wringing her hands and bawling like a child.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Neil roars. "I've tried so hard to make you into a man worth knowing but then you go and you pull a stunt like this and you make it clearer to me than ever that you're never going to be deserving of my respect, of anyone's respect. You're just a waste of time and you'll only ever be a waste of time!" He drops one hand from Billy's shirt, drawing it back almost in slow motion and Max knows Billy sees it coming but he doesn't even flinch, he doesn't even flinch and that, that is what finally has Max shouting, "It was for me!" 

Neil's fist re-directs last second, going from aiming for Billy's face to his collarbone, landing with a crack sounding so solid it leaves Max imagining deep, dark purple bruises and has her flinching and fighting not to throw up. And Billy? Billy just takes the hit, his only reaction to the pain being that he swallows roughly and dips his head for half a second. 

That's it, half a second and he's back to looking straight at Neil.

"It was for me!" Max shouts again. "He's covering for me! Me and Jane took the bus to her new house and didn't have enough money to get tickets back. Billy came and got us."

The lie flows more smoothly off her tongue than anything else ever has but Neil doesn't quite look like he believes it, looks pissed he's lost an excuse to punch his own son some more. Max's Mom hiccup-sobs and for the first time instead of making Max want to comfort her, it twists something in her gut, makes her angry. 

Neil's face twists and he looks from Billy to Max and back to Billy. "Is this true?" he asks Billy, a fist still gripping tightly to Billy's shirt, still pressing him up against the door.

Without so much as looking at Max or even blinking, Billy says, "It is." 

Neil drops his hand from Billy and turns to Max and as he does it's like a light switch is flipped, the expression on his face going from one of pure rage to one of soft understanding so, so fast it makes Max's skin crawl. 

"Max," Neil sighs gently. "If you wanted to go, you should have just asked us. We would have taken you." 

Max shrugs and does her best to look repentant like a normal kid getting a normal lecture from her normal parents and not like she's just had her whole worldview violently shattered. "I didn't know if you'd let me and I wanted to see it before she left," she says. 

"And it's better to ask forgiveness than permission, right?" Neil says, smiling. There are even tears shining softly in his eyes, like he's a normal parent and this is a normal lecture and it makes Max want to scream. It makes her want to find Steve's old nail bat and threaten Neil with it. 

Instead she nods and says, "Yeah. I'm sorry," all the while knowing that this is going to be added to the rotation of her nightmares and that she's going to be spending a lot of time picturing hitting Neil with that nail bat and anything else she can imagine from here on out.

"Well, next time ask, okay?" Neil says softly, so softly and Max can't believe she ever bought into any of his crap. Like she knew he and Billy didn't have a good relationship, she wasn't dumb, she'd noticed, but this is the first time it's been like this, this is the first time Neil's hit Billy in front of her, this is the first time he's done that and then done this, turned and looked at her like he loves her, like he's a concerned parent, like he's a normal person right after saying such mean and awful things to his own kid. 

Because Billy, she realizes, is like her, is still just a kid, no matter how much older he looks or what kind of car he drives. He's still just a kid. Tears spring to her eyes at the thought and Neil rushes forward to hug her, clearly thinking she's crying for entirely different reasons and it makes her feel like she's never going to be clean ever again, no matter how many showers or baths she takes.

"We were so worried about you," Neil says as he strokes her hair. Max looks up at Billy and sees the rage building up inside of him, she can see it in his eyes and in the stiff way he's holding himself.

"You terrified us half to death!" Susan wails, rushing forward to get in on the hug. After a moment she holds her arm out to Billy to include him but it's clearly an afterthought. 

Billy doesn't move a muscle, just stays right where he is, feet planted like he's bracing for another hit. But no other hits come. Instead, Neil just ruffles Max's hair, ends the hug and drags her Mom off to their bedroom. 

Max waits until she hears their door click closed and their tv turn on before she looks over at Billy. He looks like he's halfway between rage and tears and one hundred percent looks like he's going to shatter, either way. 

There are so many questions she wants to ask, so much she wants to say, so much she wants to do, starting with stealing his car keys, shoving him into the car and driving him to the hospital to get his collarbone looked at but…

She can't. She knows she can't. She knows that just because she has a better understanding of the way things are now doesn't mean he does. Just because he hasn't forced her away after what just happened, that doesn't actually mean anything.

It might actually be a bad thing, honestly, with the way he's staring blankly ahead like he is. So she does the one thing she's actually brave enough to do and grabs him by the hand and drags him outside. 

He lets her and it makes something inside her twitch; Billy is not supposed to be this quiet, not ever. He's all rage, all fire, all…

Isn't he?

She can feel tears starting to well up again and if Billy notices, he doesn't say anything. She puts it off like she's just cold, even shivers and rubs at her nose like it's running - because it is - and even stomps her feet a couple of times to add to the act. 

They stand there in the not-quite silence for a few minutes, the laugh track from whatever show Neil and Susan are watching echoing through the walls and making Max actually shiver. Because how can they…

How can they just…

Settle in and watch a sitcom like nothing happened? How can they…

The tears start encroaching again and this time, finally, Billy notices.

"Don't," he says, voice all sharp and weirdly brittle. "Don't be crying over me. It's weird."

She sniffles and decides fuck it, if she's gonna cry, she's gonna cry and yeah, it's over him and his stupid fucking boyfriend and this stupid fucking day and their shitty fucking parents and her shattered fucking worldview. 

"Fuck," she curses. She wipes at her nose openly. "I…" She doesn't know what to say. 

"That about covers it," Billy says. He pulls out another cigarette and this time the flame from the lighter as he flicks it on illuminates his face rather than casting it in shadow; it's oddly fitting for the day they've had and it makes her skin itch with the need to ask, to know more, to see if maybe she can get more illuminated than just his face, makes her want to see all of him lit up like that. 

She wants to ask about Neil so badly and someday she will but for now the scariest thing she can think of is for Billy to get that blank stare on his face again and for him to stop talking, so she goes with something else. Something she hopes is easier. Something good.

 "It's not just-" She swallows. 

"You really miss Steve, don't you?" 

Billy looks over at her, face unreadable in a way that has nothing to do with the dim lighting on the porch and for a moment Max thinks he might just up and walk away without answering. 

"Don't tell anyone," he says, finally, words coming out as sharp as knives, like he thinks she's trying to attack him. Which, considering everything both tonight and in general, makes sense.

"I won't," she says, solemn but loud. 

It takes a long moment, long enough for Max to start holding her breath before he says, "Okay."

"Do you…" Max whispers, watching as he blows out a long plume of smoke. "Do you love him?"

He turns to her and again he looks so heartbroken and human and sad it breaks her heart. This time it breaks her heart. "I drove all the way to Nashville and gave a crazy man all of my money on the word of a fourteen year old girl that it would bring him back. What do you think?"

She nods and shoves her hands in her pockets. "I think I hope this works." 

He nods and they stay out on the porch together until they're both shaking with the cold and have no choice but to head back inside. 

[argylemikewheeler]

i watched the st3 trailer again and wrote all my (incoherent) thoughts:

starting off boldly with a motley crue song??? i want to know which one of them has that tape. is it dustin? because i now explicitly need to know every single one of the Party’s tape collection details. duffers, fess up. who loves metal.

also from Theatre of Pain? Smokin in the Boys Room. Which is a song I need to know the Party listens to.. especially our Bitchin’ El.

SICK ghostbusters certificate (?) Dustin. You are the true MVGB (most valuable ghost buster)

Is that mf farrah fawcett spray???? literally gonna knock ‘em dead i guess

Max, honey, you look great. Lucas, dear, amazing, Will, lovey, get a haircut but also keep it up you look healthy. Mike, please go out in the sun. El, Jane, my honey dearest, I love YOU. I love her having fun with her powers.

Mike and El are holding hands and that’s actually really sweet. And they’re matching?? Wait, so are Lucas and Max. Oh, wow I’m Hurting.

Baba O'Riley hurts me a lot and I have a LOT to say about it.

First thing is I hate that they matched “field” with then in a fucking field. but whatever.

Okay, I’m being Extra on purpose now and literally taking Extra Note of things that aren’t important BUT: the formation climbing the hill IS: Dustin in front leading, Lucas and Max side by side, Will, and ElandMike holding hands. Well that’s like. Very painful. Very much so.

Also idc they’re holding hands but they aren’t helping carry anything and then aren’t shown lifting their antenna. one of you has other worldly powers and just blasted a crue song to surprise someone. you can lift something, babes.

NANCY BABY YOU LOOK AMAZING. also this shot is very familiar of hospital ones from s1 i feel like? but maybe it’s just because they’re in chairs. but either way. I love how much nancy stands out. jonathan is the same color scheme of the office and she is bright ass lilac. amazing baby amazing.

hey dacre.

hopper looking all miami vice for this date? iconic. he shows UP for his woman... who ever she is--

Joyce. baby. hi you look amazing too. i hope she’s okay and someone eats with her, not just like. as an obvious jopper ploy but because she deserves company as she goes through such a hard time. i hope we see her grieve correctly.

MIKE IN FRONT OF THE BYERS HOUSE: oh this fucked me up. it’s empty and he’s standing behind to stare at its skeleton? with the words “we aren’t kids anymore”? Like, its a loss of resilience? invisible childhood is over and now they’re adults. they can be harmed. they can die as they saw last fall. and joyce has to run their family out of town while she can to protect will before his ended childhood has adult consequences.

god, mike really is going to lose his best friend (and that angle turn is really familiar too, someone help me figure it out BUT)... i’m hurt. his best friend is going to move right before high school and he gets to spend the entire summer knowing it. that’s BRUTAL.

MAX AND EL FRIENDSHIP OH YEAH BABY. This friendship screams holding hands while their wrists have complementary colored scrunchies. love it. next.

the pictures. crying in castle byers. i know the voice over probably doesn’t match up to this scene (bc trailers and suspense) and mike is probably talking to someone else, but it still hurts to even humor the breaking of their relationship like this. [i’d be eager to pair up this editing to the actual season later and see where they shuffled everything but anyway]

i can’t imagine will even overhearing it. he’s about to move and lose his three best friends, the ones who know why he is how he is and he’s absolutely gutted. sitting in the safe space he made the night his dad left except now he’s the one that’s leaving everyone behind.

I warned you. don’t put the words “teenage wasteland” over will crying! he’s not even a proper teenager-- but he feels like his teenage years are gonna be a fucking WASTE. wow if that is’t a gay experience idk what is.

sad dustin a second ago? show him with steve having a real big brother because that’s what it’s all about. unconditional love from chosen family baby.

hopper with a big speech? oh sounds like me crying in the second to last episode. also, can that scene really be to joyce pls? it’s either cut really nicely where the backgrounds match super well or they really gave us that Content.

i’m not a topography gay but wtf is this beach coming from

i have... separate thoughts about billy maybe being “evil” that must wait.

kick. ass. montage. baby. el leading the charge!

is that... erica?

are they gonna have every outfit of el’s match with mike’s? because i will allow that if there is a literal scene where she’s got him on the phone like “what color” and mike just sighs and looks down at his clothes like “yellow and blue. but not like that yellow you wore yesterday. that’s mustard. try brighter-- like a banana!” and is just. a good boyfriend to a cute girl. i’ll allow it.

that mayor gives me bad Jaws Mayor vibes... you know the one that keeps the beach open even though there is a shark literally eating people? yeah. here he is, reelected.

static tvs? no. now she ascends to other levels of existence with eggos

the WRIST ROCKET BABY!

Madonna WHO

Trumpet Steve? A new favorite?

Steve yelling out of agony? exactly how i feel about the next shot of karen wheeler doing That at the pool. Girl Don’t.

Is that... joyce? the pant length makes me think it’s joyce. it’s joyce. he’s holding hands with joyce. literally confirmed by me.

el falling in the In Between and then cut to kissing mike? nice. falling in love. that’s cute. very cute. except for she’s kissing a boy in a vest. god dress for the occasion michael.

and then the next scene of will looking fucking MAD in the RAIN? i’m laughing that’s too perfect. yeah, me too honey.

“How many children are you friends with?” Just then the whole Party comes running in screaming “STEVE!” and Steve just shrugs and goes “only the cool ones!”

and that’s what you missed... these are not intelligent thoughts, but if you’d like those hop in my ask and request some more eloquent predictions so we can Keep Score come july 4th. thanks for getting this far! hope you’re all excited! xo

[creativeashproductions]

Hospital Visit // Steve Harrington

Summary: Being pregnant during the time the Gate needs to be closed isn’t the most desired time especially when your boyfriend is Steve Harrington. In your senior year Steve and you were involved in the fight against the Demogorgon. You thought it was done until weird things happen during your return to Hawkins for break while pregnant.

Characters: Steve Harrington x pregnant!Reader, Dustin Henderson, Lucas Sinclair, Will Byers, Mike Wheeler, Max Mayfrield, Eleven, Nancy Wheeler, Billy Hargrove, Jonathan Byers, Joyce Byers and Chief Jim Hopper.

Words: 3076

Disclaimer: I do not own Stranger Things or the characters involved. I also do not own any gifs or images that may appear. Our desktop theme automatically provides the owner for the gif. Image that does appear, I couldn’t fine the original poster on google images.I only own the reader and the plot.

Warnings: Swearing, fighting, angst, pregnancy, and fluff.

Author: Caitsy

A/N: Bumping Steve’s age up one year for this fic. Nancy and Jonathan are in senior year of high school while Steve and Reader have graduated.

Master List

Prompt List

ASK US A QUESTION LIST

You were hot, tired, annoyed and scared having been dragged into this because of your highly protective boyfriend. Steve was intensely protective of you while being freakishly loyal to the kids he had taken under his wing during your senior year when the shit show began.

In your senior year Steve was dragged into the Upside Down business when he was on his way to apologize to both you and Nancy. He didn’t have the balls to directly hurt you so he went the indirect way and used Nancy as the person for the Hawk billboard. You, Nancy and Jonathan had come across it and Steve with Tommy and Carol. You let Nancy deal with it while you just shook your head.

He crawled back to apologize to you with a beat in face as you and the other two tried to take the Demogorgon down. He jumped in and it’s probably the reason you didn’t entirely break up with him. Now on break from community college you were settled into Hopper’s house he was renting you guys after moving into the cabin in the woods with Jane.

“Yeah and we all die!” Steve shouted bringing you back into Byers mentally. You shook your head scanning the room to see the expressions on the kids and your boyfriend.

“What did I miss?” You asked rubbing your lower back.

“Nothing sweetheart.” Steve’s tone of voice changed as he helped you sit down on the couch, “How about you have a nap?”

You shot him a scathing look.

“I’m pregnant Steve, not a child.” You spat wincing as a pain shot through your lower back.

“That’s one point of view.” Dustin nodded ignoring the small spat you and Steve were having, “We need to do something Steve.”

“I’m guessing you all are suggesting a highly stupid plan that’s increasing Steve’s blood pressure?” You asked struggling to climb back on your feet. Sitting was hurting too much with the large belly.

“I got it!” Mike exclaimed making his way to a specific room that you didn’t have the energy to follow to. You get them find whatever they were doing while you stayed in the living room, “This is where the chief dug his hole. This our way into the tunnel. So…here right here. This is the hub.”

“Oh? Yeah, that’s a no!” Steve exclaimed.

“The Mindflayer would call away his army.” Dustin inserted excitedly.

“They’d all come to stop us.” Lucas added gaining the same excitement as Dustin was.

“We circle back to the exit.” Mike said sharing a look with his fellow young friends while slightly still ignoring Max.

“Guys!” Steve exclaimed.

“By the time they realize we’re gone-“

“El would be at the gate.” Max joined in slowly thinking her way through the potential plan that would greatly help.

“Hey! Hey! HEY! This is not happening!” Steve shook his head with much more force than before, “No, no, no, no. No, buts! I promise I’d keep you shitheads safe and that’s exactly what I plan on. We’re staying here. On the bench and we’re waiting for the starting team to do their job. Does everyone understand?”

“This isn’t a stupid sports game!”

“He said does everybody understand that?!” You shouted from the living room severely annoyed by the stupid dangerous plan.

“I need a year.” Steve slowly calmed down but the revving of a car took the attention away. Your attention was dragged away when you felt your feet get excessively wet and you started to panic.

“Oh fuck!” You swore as a pain crawled around your belly.

“It’s my brother! He can’t know I’m here. He’ll kill me. He’ll kill us!” Max gasped leaning against the back of the couch to peer out the window to the very familiar car outside the Byer’s home.

You made your way into the kitchen to not draw attention to yourself once you had pushed a pillow onto the wet mark from your water breaking. You groaned lowly as you leaned down on your forearms on the kitchen counter.

“Y/N?” Steve shouted from the living room.

“Just getting some water!” You called out keeping the pain from your tone. You didn’t need to add to the tension.

You were completely wrapped up in your contraction when the door slammed open with such force it brought you out of your pain. You peaked to see that egotistical Billy Hargrove was standing in the doorway in his mullet wearing glory.

“Well well well.” Billy smirked slamming the door behind him, “Lucas Sinclair. What a surprise. I thought I told you to stay away from him Max.”

You were highly concerned at how close Max was to her older step brother but you can’t exactly help when you’re hours away from pushing a baby from your vagina. You were concerned also where Steve was because he was taking his sweet time from outside.

“Billy, go away.” Max said finally standing up for herself.

“You disobeyed me and you know what happened when you disobey me.”

“Billy-“

“I break things.” Billy finished before shoving Lucas back by the front of his shirt until he was tightly held against a cabinet.

“Get off me!” Lucas weakly exclaimed struggling under the older boys strength. The other kids screaming at the scene.

You made your way into the living room almost blinded by the sheer fury held neatly by the instincts flooding your system. You attributed it to the pregnancy. You carefully watched as Billy kept his mean grip on Lucas.

“Since Maxine won’t listen to me, maybe you will. You stay away from her.” Billy growled before he screamed in the face of the young minor, “STAY AWAY FROM HER. You hear me?”

Lucas was quiet for a moment before he did something he probably shouldn’t have done but you fucking lived for the moment.

“I said GET OFF ME!”

Next thing you know Billy is hunched over from a hard knee shoved into his STD invested, let’s be real here, genitals.

“You are SO dead Sinclair!” Billy seethed, “You’re dead.”

What Billy didn’t realize was that Steve was situated behind him in that state of fury that their calm. It was when Steve shoved Billy around to face him that he noticed exactly what was going to happen.

“No. You are.” Steve calmly spoke before winding his arm back and violently landed a good punch to Billy’s face. At the exact time his fist landed another contraction began and it fucking hurt but the evil laugh by Billy broke through the pain.

“Looks like you got some fire in you after all.” Billy said wiping his arm on his face leaving a streak of blood on his arm and face, “I’ve been waiting to meet this King Steve everybody’s even telling me about.”

You hissed hunching over inconspicuously to the group in the room. What you wanted was a fucking pain reliever and quiet room!

“Get out.” Steve stated giving Billy a single glance over. You leaned your body over ignoring the situation at hand before the pain passed and you saw that that Billy was landing on the table in the kitchen a few feet away from you.

Billy was punched once more sending him into the counter near the sink where the dishes Steve had done were sitting. Things seemed to be going good for Steve before Billy’s hand searched the counter until it came across a thick plate. Steve then was hit in the head with the plate to your horror and that’s when the game changed with Billy landing a punch on Steve.

“No one tells me what to do.” Billy swore before head butting Steve into the ground. You hated yourself when he was solidly punching Steve constantly.

You didn’t know if it was the desire for the fucking hospital or dealing with the pain that you quickly made your way to Billy. You moved faster than you had since your first trimester and bent down as far as you could before shoving a sharp knife into Billy’s thigh.

“Oh shit!” Dustin’s voice called out as Billy grunted in pain and looked down at the knife in his leg and at you with a blood splattered hand.

Billy stood up almost as if he couldn’t feel the pain and lunged at you before Max tripped him back and shoved a needle in his neck.

“Oh fuck!” You swore leaning over again sweat slowly crawling down your temple. You didn’t hear anything as the pain intensified until it slowly went away.

“What is that?” Dustin gasped seeing the spot on the carpet that was a nicely huge spot of wetness. The pillow had been kicked aside in the fight, “Oh my god.”

“She’s in labor!” Max exclaimed freaking out more holding the keys to Billy’s car.

“We don’t have time.” Mike exclaimed.

“It’s not like we or she has the ability to schedule when she gives birth!” Lucas exclaimed.

“Just go!” You screamed moving towards the door, “We don’t have time. I’ll stay in the car just get the job done!”

Max was driving with Lucas beside her giving directions while Dustin and Mike sat in the backseat shoved into the doors. Steve was out cold while you waiting with bated breathe for the next contraction. The in sync groaning from Steve and you flooded the small space in the car.

“Y/N?” Steve asked looking over at you. His head reached up to touch his face before Dustin grabbed it.

“No, don’t touch it.” Dustin soothed his older friend, “Hey buddy. it’s okay. You put up a good fight. He kicked your ass, but you put up a good fight. You’re okay.”

You grunted leaning over while Mike awkwardly rubbed your back as he had seen you do before.

“Okay, you’re gonna keep straight for a half a mile then make a left on Mount Sinai.” Lucas spoke up to Max.

“What’s going on?! Oh, my god!” Steve started furiously scrambling on his back as he noticed, quite blurry, Max driving and Lucas in the passenger seat.

“Just relax.” Dustin said, “She’s driven before.”

“Yeah, in a parking lot.” Mike sarcastically said stalling his soothing gestures to you to glare over at Dustin.

“That counts.” Lucas defended the red haired girl.

“Oh my god.” Steve gasped looking over at you resting at the painless point.

“They were gonna leave you behind-“ Dustin was cut off by an increasingly panicked Steve.

“Oh my god.”

“I promised that you’d be cool, okay?” Dustin urgently spoke holding the ice pack against Steve’s head.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!” Steve exclaimed, “What’s going on?!”

The car lurched faster on the road amid the car filled with young teens, a pain filled young girl and her beaten boyfriend. He didn’t need to know that you were going to be a parent within a day at most.

“Oh my god. No! Whoa, stop the car! Slow down.”

“I told you he’d freak out.” You muttered wincing at the speed the car was travelling. You didn’t like how dangerous and stupid this plan was but something needed to be done.

“Stop the car!”

“Everybody shut up! I’m trying to focus!” Max screamed frustrated by the boys and you if she was honest.

“Peace would be greatly appreciated.” You added sighing.

“Oh wait! That’s Mount Sinai. Make a left!” Lucas shouted pointing to the turn just a little up ahead.

“What?” Max demanded looking over.

“Make a left!” You screamed at the young girl bracing for the turn you had a feeling would either be success or send you in a roll over. You hit the mail box and went onto the grass as everyone started screeching and thrown around the car at the tight turn. You fucking swore the car went on two wheels.

“Ah hello!” Steve screamed at the car came to a sharp stop in front of the hole to hell otherwise known as the Upside Down tunnels.

“Whoa.” Dustin breathed.

“Incredible.” Mike spoke staring out the front of the car.

“I told you Zoomer.” Max said getting out of the car. Mike got out before helping you out also to get on the ground where you leant down on the hood breathing through another contraction as the group collected the items to go down into the tunnels.

“Guys. Oh no.” Steve spoke stumbling around on his feet seeing the kids suiting up in gloves, goggles, and clothes wrapped around mouths, “Guys. Hey, where do you think you’re going? What are you, deaf? Hello!”

“Calm down.” You spoke glancing up at him but Steve completely disregarded your words.

“We are not going down there right now. I made myself clear. Hey, there’s no chance we’re going to that hole, all right? This ends now!”

“Steve, you’re upset. I get it but the bottom line is, a party member requires assistance and it is our duty to provide that assistance. Now I know you promised everyone that you would keep us safe.” Dustin said grabbing another bag from the trunk, “So keep us safe.”

“Y/N stays here.” Steve said towards everyone.

“Should we tell him…?” Max whispered to Lucas as they handed a thick blanket to you sitting in the passenger seat.

“No.” Lucas shook his head.

“We don’t need him worse than he is right now. Besides it will be hours before she needs the hospital.” Mike said as he dropped the rope down into the hole as the other congregated at the hole.

“Let’s burn this shit.” Dustin spoke as they started down the hole.


“Be safe.” You called out to the group before settling back into the car that you locked once they all went down, “Okay baby let’s wait until everything’s over.”

You didn’t know how much time passed from the moment they dropped down in the hole before they scrambled out. You cracked the window when the lights of the car went out and then on.

“We should get to the hospital.” Dustin spoke up looking over at Steve, “Y/N’s been in labor for a while.”

“WHAT?!” Steve screamed at the kids looking over as you were once more outside the car leaning on the hood, “How long?”


“Since before you fought with Billy.” Max spoke up as Steve raced to the car helping you into the passenger seat again.    

“Get the hell in the car!” Steve shouted speeding when the doors were barely shut.

“I can’t do this!” You screamed looking at your patched up boyfriend. You had been pushing for so fucking long.

The night had bled into the early morning by the time you were in the delivery room in the same hospital Will was at. Separate rooms the party would take shifts outside each door freaking out for when Will would wake up and when the new member of the party would join.

“Come on sweetheart.” The nurse spoke from your one side, “You’re doing the hardest but most fulfilling job in the world.”

“You can do it.” Steve spoke, “After the weeks we’ve had?”

You followed the doctor’s steps bearing down hard for another half hour before a loud cry split the air amid your screaming. In a blur Steve cut the baby’s umbilical cord before the baby was placed on your chest for a few minutes.

“We’ll get her cleaned up and checked out.” The nurse said gently taking the baby from you, “We’ll be right back.”

She was right. Your sweet daughter was brought back to you and Steve cooing softly before Steve was given permission to take her to the care while you delivered the placenta.

Time passed as you gazed down at Ellie’s face as she rested in your arms in the private room with Steve wrapped around you. Soon enough the door gently opened revealing the kids, Nancy and the Byers in the doorway.

“Hey.” Nancy whispered making her way to your bedside, “Oh my gosh.”

“Is it a boy?” Dustin inquired.

The group came closer to see the little pink hat on the baby’s head as she yawned earning a collective aw. Joyce wrapped her arm around Will’s shoulders as he rested in the wheelchair.

“No, Dustin.” You gently smiled down at your daughter, “We want you to meet Eleanor Jane Harrington.”

Eleven gasped from the group as she came closer to the little girl in your arms.

“We decided to name her after a special girl that brought Y/N and I closer. Someone stronger than we have ever met with a kind soul despite the horror she faced.” Steve said looking at Eleven, “We’re hoping you would like to be her god mother.”

“God mother?” Eleven inquired before Joyce explained it easily, “Yes.”

“Welcome to the party.” Dustin spoke moving closer, “I’m going to kill anyone that hurts you. Uncle Dustin won’t ever let harm hurt you.”

You silently cried as Dustin moved closer to peer at the little girl before Steve lead him to the chair situated by the bed. Everyone held their breathe as Steve placed Ellie in Dustin’s arms and instructed him how to hold her.

“I was bullied because I’m different.” Dustin said peering down at the little girl, “I have a condition called cleidocranial dysplasia that makes me different. Your mom and dad are seriously cool and if you ever need a friend or your hurt because you’re different. I’m going to be right there silently planning a slow death.”

“Hey Jonathan?” Steve said looking up at his friend, “I know we weren’t the greatest friends…well I was a douche to you but I want you to know. You’re one of my best friends.”


“Thanks.” Jonathan spoke quietly from his brother’s side.

“That being said. Y/N and I want you to be Ellie’s godfather.” Steve said looking up at Jonathan. Jonathan wordlessly walked over and pulled Steve into a tight hug. Not one of the bro hugs but a serious hug.

“I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse.” Lucas piped up with a grin before Dustin, Mike, Will and even Hopper joined in.

“You see, Johnny, we feel that entertainment is going to be a-“

Ellie’s cry burst their movie portrayal scaring the living shit out of Dustin as he held her before Steve took her to bounce her to soothe his little girl.

“I’d be honoured.” Jonathan said leaning down to hug you.

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@bilesmccall

[kyloren]

Mileven post-S2 fanfiction recommendation list: PART V

For past rec lists please see instalments I, II, III, and IV. If your fanfic isn’t featured, apologies. Message me and we’ll amend that grievance in the next rec list instalment. 

* marks the ongoing stories. 

canon: 

for laughs, for luck, for the unknown by ArtemisRae: “Mike goes away to college. El goes with him. Within a year she gains a new set of grandparents, a pet, a job, and enforces party rules.” 

+ its sequel the monkey in the wrench by ArtemisRae: “Mike ends up in the hospital, El has to face her insecurities, and they turn the corner with Mike’s parents.” [ArtemisRae’s works are so beautiful, I can’t breathe.] 

a wonderful awful idea by ArtemisRae: “Mike wants to recapture the Christmas magic of his childhood, but mostly he accidentally makes his girlfriend cry.” 

the last picture show by ArtemisRae: “Hopper catches Mike and El at the local drive in after being led to think that they were at the Hawk with their friends.” 

six weeks* by bananannabeth: “There are six weeks between the night El comes home and the night of the Snow Ball, which leaves not a lot of time to deal with a whole lot of shit. Somehow, she and Mike ride it out.” 

can’t argue with that by bananannabeth: “Karen is well aware of how stubborn her only son can be, but as much as he tries to pretend he has to do everything on his own, Mike isn’t alone anymore. So if he’s insisting on running to El’s rescue at the cabin in the middle of the woods at two in the morning, you can bet his mom is not letting him go alone.” 

+ its prequel with background Mileven: alone by bananannabeth: “Karen left Joyce alone when she so obviously needed support, and now she’s trying to make amends. Casserole and coffee seems as good a place as any to start.” God, I love bananannabeth’s You Can Talk To Me (aka. Karen Wheeler is a Good Mom™) series so, so much. 

just another sleepy sunday by suchastart: “Game night, a few years into the future.” 

promises by blacktreeswhitesky: “For Jane Ives, it’s always been like this. She was always searching for something, for someone.” [I’M NOT CRYING. YOU ARE CRYING.] 

how we sleep by zombiecupcake: “The gate is closed, and the gang finds themselves getting the much deserved rest they all needed.” 

love you like that* by ohanae: “Snippets out of Mike and El’s life after she closed the gate to the Upside Down. They learn things together, go to school together, grow up together.” 

operation christmas for el* by Booklover1217: “When the party discovers that El has never experienced a Christmas before they are horrified. That is until Mike comes up with the plan to give El the most amazing first Christmas imaginable and so Operation Christmas for El is born. The next days that follow are filled with gingerbread, mistletoe, snow, and the magic of Christmas which just may change El’s life forever.” 

home by lesbeatlesbunch: “Mike gets his license.” 

pretty by hma1313: “Sometimes he thinks he sees her standing at the end of the street in that ratty dress of his sister’s, the fabric torn and stained, but he’ll blink and then she’s gone and he’s half convinced he imagined it all.” 

scrap my knees, whatever; i’m gonna let them bleed by ceruleanstorm: “How many compliments can Mike and El yell at each other over a card game?” 

close the door by g00denough: “Because we are just waiting for when someone walks in on El and Mike kissing.” 

things you said* by Brown Eyes Parker: “a collection of one-shots revolving around Mike & Eleven and things they say to each other.” 

+ its sort of sequel, sort of outtakes things you said, alternate stories* by Brown Eyes Parker: “Original and alternate or continuations of stories in my “things you said” series.” 

heartbeats in the quiet by screamingintosilence: “It was usually just a cold, but this felt like the flu.” 

perfect summer day by AR357: “It was a sunny summer day in 1984. Mike had been looking forward to this day for a while. With each breath of crisp summer air, he felt more and more invigorated. With each hill he crested, he felt his heart thumping away. But then again, maybe he was just thinking about what the day’s events would hold.” 

flutterby, butterfly* by foreverinthe_eighties: “What would happen if, years after the events that took place in 1984, Kali seeks Eleven out herself. And gives her the opportunity to change her mind.” 

the name game by Strange_Archivist: “El and Mike have their first real fight, and it’s a doozy.” 

eleven things* by Socalledfriend: “Eleven returns, but things don’t just go back to the way they were. It’s not clear how she managed to get home, and meanwhile Will’s sickness is only getting worse. Some things never change though, and while she’s back, Mike manages to teach her at least eleven things about the outside world.”

raspberry breeze by urdearestmom: “Sometimes she stays up with him, and she calls him ridiculous. How don't you fall over when you get up in the morning? She asks. Pfft, I don’t need sleep! Who do you think I am? He says, but then he smiles and her heart melts, she's never been able to be angry at this boy for more than a few minutes.”

promises* by Vontar: “Sometimes, it’s the little things in life that matter. Scenes of life from Eleven and Mike, as they face the future together.”

stranger things holiday extravaganza* by Commernator: “Mike, Hopper, and the rest of the party help Eleven experience holidays for the first time.” 

alternative universe: 

the boy with freckles like constellations in the night sky* by got credits (Poly_Grumps): “It had been a quiet night in the town of Hawkins Indiana when Will Byers disappeared seemingly out of thin air. Jane Ellie Ives could still recall her last moments with him, the last words she had spoken with him before she watched him bike off into the night. It had started like any other day in fact, with the curly-haired girl and her gang of friends all sitting around in her basement gathered around a rather intense game of dungeons and dragons!” Reverse AU. [guys, guys, guys. I’m screaming. It’s so good.] 

(all i wanna be is) somebody to you* by sinclairsmax: “Elle Hopper never thought that she’d win American Idol. Then again, she also never thought Mike Wheeler would fall in love with her. Behind the cameras, everything is turned upside down.” YouTube AU. [this is everything I didn’t know I wanted.] 

we could be heroes* by ValBirch: “A series of connected vignettes about our favourite characters—but with superpowers.” Superhuman AU. I repeat, SUPERHUMAN AU. [Plus, the author has a whole set of moodboards/aesthetics for characters and I’m dying.] 

the artist & the dancer* by JavaCat26: “Her warm honey-brown eyes were fixated on him. Emotion washed over him like warm bath water. He wouldn’t let her down. Ever. He took a deep breath, steadied his hand, and pressed his pencil to the canvas. “I can do this…”” College AU. 

upside down and back again* by Crataeis: “When a new threat begins to emerge from the ashes of the Upside Down, an unlikely group of four of our six main protagonists band together to try and stop it.” Alternative Reality? Time Travel AU? I can’t quite tell, but although this fic is in its early stages, it’s really good and worth a look. 

a rose by any other name by serendipitous_rambles: “The Montague and Capulet high schools never got along. There was bitter rivalry between the two schools, nothing good could come from associating with each other. But what happens when two fall in love?” Romeo & Juliet-style High-School AU. 

+ bonus: wherein The Party is featured prominently…again: 

in a dream where the air is soft by a simple space nerd: “El has hair slicked back behind her ears, darkly ringed eyes, and somewhat bedraggled clothes, and Max would normally steer clear of people looking like her, but she’s heard so much about El, and God, why is this group of friends so unlike everyone else Max has ever met? Max never used to care about what random people thought of her. “Curse you, stalker,” she mutters half-heartedly.” [I love Mike and Max in this one. This has to be my favourite interpretation of both characters, hands down. This fic is so in tune with characterisation, it can be considered canon.] 

more than one best friend by topangamatthews: “El’s first best friend is Mike, but he’s not her last.” 

after the gate closed* by insomniacwriter17: “Just one shots about all the little head canons I have.” 

el’s word book* by Noth_lit_9: “El is frustrated that her vocabulary lags behind those of her friends, so Hopper wants to provide her with a way to see her growth.” 

it’s okay to not be okay by talesfromthesnogbox: “Jim Hopper knew it was a real emergency when he was woken in the night by a phone call from his son-in-law Mike from the hospital. All was not well, but Jim reminds Mike that sometimes it’s okay to not be okay.” 

teenage girls by EvieSmallwood: “El & Max hang out at the arcade. They talk about the present and the future.” 

a is for alphabet* by urdearestmom: “Each chapter is a letter of the alphabet, lots of fluff and laughs ensue.” 

so i could kill them for you by valancysnaith: “Max deserves so much better. The party is there for her.” 

.

.

okay, so I had a lot more, but my Cloud messed the fuck up and deleted half of the bookmarks I made. now, I gotta go and track down the fics I lost…

UPDATE: part VI is out.

[blogger360ncislarules]

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist flashes back to Zoey’s (Jane Levy) introduction to working at SPRQ Point — via the final stage in the hiring process. During it, she meets and is paired with Max (Skylar Astin).

But it’s not a meet-cute and they don’t become instant friends. Rather, they disagree about pretty much everything, until she finds out her mother, Maggie (Mary Steenburgen), is in the hospital. Max insists she go be with her family and finish the work remotely — and then when Danny Michael Davis (Noah Weisberg) decides to only hire one of them, gives up his job. (He’s hired a month later.)

But with Max leaving for New York in a week (!) with new girlfriend Rose (Katie Findlay) as he and Mo (Alex Newell) expand MaxiMo’s, what’s next? Astin takes us inside the flashbacks and teases the May 16 finale as we wait to hear about a third season.

Is Max feeling uncertain about the move and possibly Rose at this point?

Skylar Astin: I don’t know if he’s uncertain about the move or Rose. I think at this point, he’s in that New York state of mind and he was trying to think what’s best for him and best for business. There’s a lot of movement in Episode 11 and even our finale, but where it leads him is making a choice that’s based on his own aspirations.

He has kept that coffee prototype all of these years, and that scene at the end seems to frame it as hope for Max and Zoey’s relationship. Is there hope?

I think there’s always hope, especially down the line. But this season has been tough on them. They’ve been trying to be mature and persevere through sometimes awkwardness and are being as adult as possible. However, it’s a little tough when you love someone to keep them so close and in their lives. Maybe a little bit of distance is good, or maybe they’ll be confronted with their true feelings and emotions.

Speaking of being adults, how has Max been feeling about their pause and ultimately break up this season, which has then led them to date other people?

He might not fully grasp why. I think on paper he understands why she needs a little bit more time to process, but I can understand his feelings towards — could you imagine if you put something out on the line and then that person also has a window into your subconscious and it’s still not enough? I could see him losing hope by the day saying, if not now, then when?

Is there any way that Zoey can change that?

We’ll see. I think it’s possible. He certainly is in love with her. I think he has a very, very special place reserved for Zoey no matter what happens, so I think if anyone could change him or bring him back to that feeling, it would be her and her emotion.

Talk about filming those flashback scenes and that different dynamic for Max and Zoey since we’ve only seen them after they became close.

We had a blast shooting that. Jane and I really enjoyed the dynamic that we got to create and kind of the origin story of Zoey and Max. It was fun to play a slightly more immature version of the character that I’ve been playing for a couple of years now and to even provide further context into their friendship.

I also really like seeing Max meet [Zoey’s father] Mitch [Peter Gallagher] and Mitch’s “I like him” because Max lost him too.

That’s so true. I loved having Peter back on set. He’s truly the soul of this show. Even just having that little exchange with him was very important and very special to me.

Max gives up his job for Zoey after only knowing her a handful of hours or so. Why?

I think that in the scene on the staircase when Zoey gives him the fruit roll-up, he really got to see her passion. Where we started in the pilot and even dating back to this flashback of their first day at SPRQ Point, Max is not as ambitious. He says in the first episode of the show that he’s okay with coasting, and I think seeing Zoey’s passion and her calling for this job really changed something in him. He just didn’t want to deny someone like Zoey an opportunity, especially when he believes that she deserved it.

He also brought up his father, which was great to see explored this season.

Yeah. We’ve touched on it in a little bit in Season 1, and now in the flashback episode, we even give a little bit more into how he feels about his dad. And we got to meet his dad. I love exploring Max and his family life and I hope to even do more of it in Season 3. Max does have two siblings that have been mentioned on the show. Even his mother has been mentioned. He’s clearly the runt of the litter there. I like playing that dynamic and I like seeing it and I hope you get to meet everyone.

He brings up his dad when discussing the restaurant in New York. Does that influence his decision at all to move?

I’m sure there’s a little bit of him wanting to prove himself, but I really do think that it’s just a full business opportunity. What I love about it is he’s not just following a girl. He’s not just doing it to win over his family. He’s doing it because it really makes sense for MaxiMo and it’s just as much of an opportunistic decision as a heart-based decision. So I’m sure that his family and their approval ties into his decision, but it’s not really the focus of it.

We got some great Max and Mo and Max and Simon [John Clarence Stewart] scenes this season.

Yeah, I love having scenes with John and Alex. It’s really blossomed our characters and brought us together. I love working with them as individuals and actors, so of course, that’s a selfish reason why I love working with those characters, but I think seeing their dynamics and seeing their dynamics outside of Zoey has really been refreshing for the audience. Oftentimes in Season 1, we were kind of only speaking to Zoey, and the fact that we’ve gotten this time away from her when she was grieving to bond, it’s just made it even more evolved.

But at the same time, Max knows something about Zoey that Simon doesn’t.

That’s exactly right. Which is a little odd. I always find that fairly telling that she still is so concerned with telling Simon the secret and even forcing Max and Mo into awkward situations where they kind of have to lie on her behalf.

What can you tease about the finale?

There’s a big, big party.

And what about the musical numbers?

There are a lot. I remember Team Dance was prepping the heck out of it and didn’t know how they were ever going to do it because there are multiple group numbers and multiple solo numbers. There’s six or seven at least. And they’re not small. Some are more tone pieces. Some are big group numbers. Some are really quiet. I really can’t say which is frustrating because I’m excited to see it myself. I know how strong our finale, especially the back half, is.

Does it end on a cliffhanger?

I think audiences will definitely be left wanting a Season 3.

What’s been your favorite song this season?

I really liked that big musical sequence that I did: “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” into “I’ll Make Love to You” into eventually “A Moment Like This.” It just really got to breathe. We really got to navigate those songs like Max would. I love when Zoey could be a comfort and a point of connection and relaxation for Max. She’s done that in the finale of last season and in that episode, Episode 2 of Season 2, where she’s able to calm him down and shut the music off and connect.