[ After they'd gotten back to his place, Max had insisted on helping him bandage up his shoulder, even though he really hadn't wanted her to see him shirtless. It wasn't that he thought Max would be checking him out or anything like that, but the scars from Lover's Lake were large and ugly and still healing. He didn't like looking at them in the mirror, let alone subjecting anyone else to them. He used to be proud of his body, but now it just reminded him of the parts of himself he couldn't get back.
But if anyone understand that, it was Max, who had overcome so much more than just a few scars. He knew he couldn't be ashamed of his if he was also constantly telling her how strong she was, regardless of how she was different from the way she'd been before. And it was helpful to have someone to help him clean and wrap this one properly instead of trying to do it himself. He tried to keep Max talking to take her mind off the fact that she was trying to put him back together again, but she'd been quiet for the most part.
They'd eaten a meal of mac and cheese and half way through it the others had called to say that the Creel house was under control again. He'd given Max his mom's bedroom, just down the hall from his own and told her to wake him if she needed anything. And then he'd slept nightmare free for a very long time.
In the morning, there was still something off about Max that he couldn't quite put his finger on. Though as he asked more questions he thought maybe it was something to do with the way she quickly changed the subject from her mom when he brought her up. Now that he was thinking about it, he's not sure she'd ever called her to let her know she wasn't coming home.
He made them a breakfast of toast, eggs and orange juice and then insisted on driving Max home. They listen to the Top 40 countdown as he drives across town, neither of them saying much. When he pulls up to the trailer he notices her mom's car isn't there, despite the early hour. He turns off the car. ]
[Last night had been the first night she'd slept not only all the way through the night, but all the way through the night without nightmares since -- well. Probably since before Billy died last summer. She knows why; being alone overnight isn't a thing she's ever really enjoyed. Even before all the Upside Down shit had turned her life on its head the idea of being alone at night had creeped her out.
She knows her quietness probably had Steve wondering what was going on, had caught him giving her concerned looks all evening, and all throughout breakfast. Truthfully she knows she's in way over her head with everything. She's not old enough to have a job yet, unless she wants to babysit, but it's not like money from babysitting is going to pay the bills or put food on the table. But until someone physically shows up on her porch demanding money her plan is to just keep hoping for the best.
They've all been through too much. They shouldn't have to worry about her again, much less over something that's not even life-threatening.
She glances at Steve when he shuts the car off.]
Yeah, guess not. I think she had to work a double. [She shrugs a little, pretending to be completely unconcerned.] Thanks for the ride home. And for letting me invade your space last night. Try not to get into any other-worldly fights without me.
Yeah, no problem. [ It really hadn't been a problem. In fact, he'd actually liked having someone to eat dinner with and watch TV with that wasn't Robin. He'd chalked up the quietness to being exhausted from the fight, but suddenly he's getting a nagging feeling in his stomach that something isn't right.
He moves to open his own door, pushing it open and getting out. He claps his hand on the top of the roof. ] Hey, Mayfield, let me use your bathroom, will you?
[ He knows Max's mom works long hours, doubles even, and he's heard enough to also know she tends to drink herself to sleep[ more often than not. But he's trying to remember the last time he's actually seen her car in the driveway in the countless times he's dropped Max off and he's coming up blank.]
[She's out of the car when he calls out and for a second she freezes, panic obvious on her face, but she shakes it off as quickly as it appears. Power outages had been frequent at the trailer park since they'd moved in. She'd commented on it a few times, back before the shit hit the fan with Vecna, even if she can't remember if she'd ever mentioned it to Steve in particular. She's sure she can play that off, though, regardless. Not agreeing would be suspicious as shit, so she can't really do that.
Instead, she shrugs, exhaling a little.]
Sure.
[She leads the way to the porch, fishing her key out of her pocket and unlocking the front door, pushing it open with the toe of her shoe and propping the bat up beside it, glancing at him over her shoulder.]
Looks like the power went out again. [She makes a show of rolling her eyes as she steps into the trailer.]
[ Something flashes across Max's face, but it's gone before Steve can really put a name to it. He follows her up the steps of the porch and watches her open the door. ] Again? Does that happen a lot?
[ He glances over his shoulder at the Munson's trailer, the porchlight still glowing despite the morning hour and frowns as he follows Max inside. He takes in the living room, spotting the flashlight on a low table near the door. There's a blanket on the couch, balled up into the corner and a thin film of dust on the tv where it's been undisturbed for a while. The trailer is warm in the June morning sun and is probably only going to get warmer as the day goes on. He nods towards the bathroom, moving past the kitchen where the only thing in sight is an open box of cereal, the opening at the top clear that whoever was eating out of it hadn't bothered with a bowl or milk.
The last time he'd been in Max's trailer it was after they'd gotten out of the upside down the first time and were trying to figure out their last move. It had been crowded with the rest of the gang and the bathroom had been one of the most highly sought spots. He remembers Max's mom's hairspray because it was the same kind he used, but now he sees none of the clutter that had marked her presence before. No hairspray, no make-up, no shampoo for colored hair. Even in the near darkness of the bathroom, the only light coming from a small glossed window, he can see only Max's things here. Steve opens the medicine cabinet and tries to squint at the labels. They're all Max's, all half full, all dated the day she was discharged from the hospital. He closes the mirror and frowns at his reflection in the mirror.
He moves to the door and opens it, stepping out and moving to the kitchen. He goes to the powerless fridge and opens it to find it nearly empty. He shuts it and looks up at Max, putting his hands on his hips.] Max, where's your mom?
[Max looks at him warily as he heads down the hall toward the bathroom and she exhales, rubbing a hand over her face and trying to figure out what she's going to do today. School's out for the summer, and if the one remaining gate is under control, then she needed to figure out something else to do. Maybe she'd go across the way and check on Wayne Munson, who'd been beyond kind to her since she'd gotten out of the hospital and back home. She just has to be careful, because he asked questions a lot, about her mom.
And Max didn't have any answers, though her own lies are certainly getting easier to repeat. She has a feeling she'll be hearing from Lucas before long, about the time that Will and Jonathan fill him in on her adventures at the Creel House yesterday with Steve. He won't be happy about it, she knows, but.
She can't stay sidelined. Not after everything, not after being the reason the town was in shambles in the first place.
She stands in the middle of the living room, lost in thought, and doesn't even notice Steve at first, but then she freezes at the look on her face and her heart sinks. He knows, she realizes. Or at least he's close to it.]
Max... [ Steve's not as stupid as he looks. He knows that her mom hasn't been here in a while, though just how long is pulling at the back of his mind. He also knows that Max is too stubborn and too proud to admit that she needs anyone or anything.
He sighs and rubs a hand down his face, unconsciously mirroring Max's earlier gesture. He tilts his head to the side and stares hard at the worn kitchen floor. He thinks about Max alone in the dark, hot trailer with no one looking out for her and it makes his chest feel tight with concern and anger at her mom for leaving her alone.
He looks back at Max.] Listen, I can drive across town to see if you're telling the truth or we can sit down and talk about what's really going on. Either way, you know I'm not letting this go.
[ He gestures towards her, his shoulder pulling at the bandage she'd helped put in place yesterday.] I can't. And I know you can look after yourself, but I'm not just going to leave you on your own.
[ As much as he wants to be here to keep Lucas and El company, he also spends a lot of his time at the hospital because it means he doesn't have to see Nancy. He knows that he hurt her deeply when he blew up at her a month ago and blamed her for Eddie and Max not getting out of everything okay. He knows it's not fair of him, but he can't help but think that maybe if Nancy hadn't been so stubborn she would've realized how stupid splitting up had been. If she hadn't had to be in control, maybe she would've known better than to let Max offer herself up as bait and if she'd known Eddie better she would've known that he would do anything for his friends. But she couldn't have known how things would go and he can see the guilt weighing heavy on her shoulders, can see it every time she looks at him. And he hates it, but he hates that he didn't get to say goodbye even more.]
[ Today he's trying and failing to read one of the books stacked up by Max's bedside. His mind keeps going in circles, flitting from how to keep Will and El safe to whether or not he should tell his parents about the kind of danger they're all in. He knows his dad already wants to pack up and leave Hawkins, he's heard the arguments through the walls of the upper bedrooms. He doesn't know why his mom wants to stay, but he's grateful. He's not going anywhere, even if the idea of his parents and Holly far away from here sounds like a good one.
After a few hours of prodding, he'd talked El and Lucas to let him take over Max sitting so they could go home and get a shower and much needed sleep. He knows they won't stay away for long, but at least he can give them a tiny bit of relief while he's also avoiding his sister.
He sighs and gives up on the book, tossing it back on the pile by Max's bedside. It's then that he thinks he sees her fingers twitch. Mike's breath catches in his throat and he immediately reaches out to take her hand.] Max? Max, can you hear me?
[It feels like she's been swimming toward consciousness for an eternity, and that it's been just out of reach. She can hear people talking to her, can even understand what they're saying sometimes, but she can't respond. She can feel pressure on her hand but she can't squeeze hands in return to let them know she's there, that she's listening. She's terrified that one day the voices will be gone, that there won't be that pressure, that she'll be alone. Sometimes she swears she can see and hear Eddie in the void of -- wherever the hell she is. Her subconscious? Some level of the Upside Down?
He keeps telling her to focus, to go toward the other voices she can hear, because clearly he can hear them too even if that doesn't make sense. She doesn't understand, and nothing makes sense.
She never hears her mom. That doesn't make sense, though. Why wouldn't her mom be with her if she was in the hospital? Probably off drinking away her sorrows.
Time passes, but the voices are there, almost constantly. Once in awhile things are quiet, but she can hear the steady beeping of machines, hear light snoring nearby. And then the voices come back. And so does the pressure on her hand. Her eyebrows furrow, and this time she feels her fingers curl around whoever's holding her hand this time. The voice is familiar but she can't place it yet, either.]
Holy Shit! [ He glances around the room wildly to find that there's no one there to witness this miracle, his fingers squeezing Max's tightly in return. He's unwilling to let go of her hand as he stretches haphazardly over her bed to reach for the nurse button.] Hold on, Max, okay? Just hold on!
[ For once, his ungainly limbs come in handy and he mashes the button repeatedly until an annoyed sounding nurse comes over the intercom.] She's waking up. Get in here!
[ He lets go of the nurse's button, focusing back on Max. Her brow if furrowed as if she's trying to open her eyes, but can't quite manage it.]> Come on, Max. It's time to wake up. Please wake up.
[She knows that voice. She knows she does. She doesn't know who he's summoning to come see her and for all she knows this is some elaborate trick of Vecna's, but -- she manages to open her eyes. But she can't see a thing anyway. A soft, protesting noise escapes her and her fingers clutch a little harder on the ones that are curled around hers, her heart beating faster in her chest now. Why couldn't she see anything?]
Mike? [Her voice is barely audible, raspy from disuse.] I can't -- I can't see.
[ They had told him about the white eyes and the floating and the blood, but he still isn't prepared when Max opens her eyes and there's nothing there but a white film. he feels his heart plummet to the ground, Lucas's tearful recounting of those last few moments echoing back in his mind. He grabs her hand with his other, as if that will somehow reassure her that he's there more than just one could.]
It's okay. [p It's not okay. None of this is okay. Max should be staring back at him with those deep blue and sharp eyes. The ones that have always seemed to see right through him to an unnerving degree. Instead, she doesn't even sound like herself. Her voice is small and faint, two things that have never been used to describe Max Mayfield. He swallows thickly, hoping the nurse will get her ass down there soon. ] I'm here. Lucas and El have been, but they went to shower and sleep. We've been waiting... [ For what? For this? It's still a miracle, even if she cant' see. At least she's here. ] You're in the hospital. A nurse is coming okay?
[The feel of his other hand wrapping around hers helps ground her, helps pull her from her panic even if only a little bit. She forces herself to take a couple slow deep breaths, focusing on the sound of Mike's voice. She's maybe a little surprised that it's Mike and not El or Lucas or her mom or even Steve there with her, but she's grateful for a familiar voice all the same. She and Mike aren't close, they've never been close, but right now she was so relieved to hear his voice that she wanted to cry. She tries to shift a little, but her entire body feels heavier than usual, weighed down. That's concerning, too, but she can feel her hand, and she can feel his hand, and -- she hears footsteps approaching.]
Don't leave me here.
Please.
[There's fear in her voice now, but she can't see and she doesn't know who's coming. It could be a nurse or it could be Vecna or --]
Hi, sweetie. El just told me the good news! I'm going to run by Melvald's and pick up a few things for you. What size clothes and shoes do you wear? And what's your favorite color?
Oh Max, I'm so sorry. Forest Hills was leveled in the earthquake. I'm afraid we won't be able to get anything from your house. But if you give me a list of anything you need, I will get it for you.
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beyourzoomer) wrote2023-03-04 10:04 pm
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But if anyone understand that, it was Max, who had overcome so much more than just a few scars. He knew he couldn't be ashamed of his if he was also constantly telling her how strong she was, regardless of how she was different from the way she'd been before. And it was helpful to have someone to help him clean and wrap this one properly instead of trying to do it himself. He tried to keep Max talking to take her mind off the fact that she was trying to put him back together again, but she'd been quiet for the most part.
They'd eaten a meal of mac and cheese and half way through it the others had called to say that the Creel house was under control again. He'd given Max his mom's bedroom, just down the hall from his own and told her to wake him if she needed anything. And then he'd slept nightmare free for a very long time.
In the morning, there was still something off about Max that he couldn't quite put his finger on. Though as he asked more questions he thought maybe it was something to do with the way she quickly changed the subject from her mom when he brought her up. Now that he was thinking about it, he's not sure she'd ever called her to let her know she wasn't coming home.
He made them a breakfast of toast, eggs and orange juice and then insisted on driving Max home. They listen to the Top 40 countdown as he drives across town, neither of them saying much. When he pulls up to the trailer he notices her mom's car isn't there, despite the early hour. He turns off the car. ]
Your mom's not home yet?
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She knows her quietness probably had Steve wondering what was going on, had caught him giving her concerned looks all evening, and all throughout breakfast. Truthfully she knows she's in way over her head with everything. She's not old enough to have a job yet, unless she wants to babysit, but it's not like money from babysitting is going to pay the bills or put food on the table. But until someone physically shows up on her porch demanding money her plan is to just keep hoping for the best.
They've all been through too much. They shouldn't have to worry about her again, much less over something that's not even life-threatening.
She glances at Steve when he shuts the car off.]
Yeah, guess not. I think she had to work a double. [She shrugs a little, pretending to be completely unconcerned.] Thanks for the ride home. And for letting me invade your space last night. Try not to get into any other-worldly fights without me.
[Max reaches for the door handle.]
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He moves to open his own door, pushing it open and getting out. He claps his hand on the top of the roof. ] Hey, Mayfield, let me use your bathroom, will you?
[ He knows Max's mom works long hours, doubles even, and he's heard enough to also know she tends to drink herself to sleep[ more often than not. But he's trying to remember the last time he's actually seen her car in the driveway in the countless times he's dropped Max off and he's coming up blank.]
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Instead, she shrugs, exhaling a little.]
Sure.
[She leads the way to the porch, fishing her key out of her pocket and unlocking the front door, pushing it open with the toe of her shoe and propping the bat up beside it, glancing at him over her shoulder.]
Looks like the power went out again. [She makes a show of rolling her eyes as she steps into the trailer.]
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[ He glances over his shoulder at the Munson's trailer, the porchlight still glowing despite the morning hour and frowns as he follows Max inside. He takes in the living room, spotting the flashlight on a low table near the door. There's a blanket on the couch, balled up into the corner and a thin film of dust on the tv where it's been undisturbed for a while. The trailer is warm in the June morning sun and is probably only going to get warmer as the day goes on. He nods towards the bathroom, moving past the kitchen where the only thing in sight is an open box of cereal, the opening at the top clear that whoever was eating out of it hadn't bothered with a bowl or milk.
The last time he'd been in Max's trailer it was after they'd gotten out of the upside down the first time and were trying to figure out their last move. It had been crowded with the rest of the gang and the bathroom had been one of the most highly sought spots. He remembers Max's mom's hairspray because it was the same kind he used, but now he sees none of the clutter that had marked her presence before. No hairspray, no make-up, no shampoo for colored hair. Even in the near darkness of the bathroom, the only light coming from a small glossed window, he can see only Max's things here. Steve opens the medicine cabinet and tries to squint at the labels. They're all Max's, all half full, all dated the day she was discharged from the hospital. He closes the mirror and frowns at his reflection in the mirror.
He moves to the door and opens it, stepping out and moving to the kitchen. He goes to the powerless fridge and opens it to find it nearly empty. He shuts it and looks up at Max, putting his hands on his hips.] Max, where's your mom?
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[Max looks at him warily as he heads down the hall toward the bathroom and she exhales, rubbing a hand over her face and trying to figure out what she's going to do today. School's out for the summer, and if the one remaining gate is under control, then she needed to figure out something else to do. Maybe she'd go across the way and check on Wayne Munson, who'd been beyond kind to her since she'd gotten out of the hospital and back home. She just has to be careful, because he asked questions a lot, about her mom.
And Max didn't have any answers, though her own lies are certainly getting easier to repeat. She has a feeling she'll be hearing from Lucas before long, about the time that Will and Jonathan fill him in on her adventures at the Creel House yesterday with Steve. He won't be happy about it, she knows, but.
She can't stay sidelined. Not after everything, not after being the reason the town was in shambles in the first place.
She stands in the middle of the living room, lost in thought, and doesn't even notice Steve at first, but then she freezes at the look on her face and her heart sinks. He knows, she realizes. Or at least he's close to it.]
I told you. She's at work.
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He sighs and rubs a hand down his face, unconsciously mirroring Max's earlier gesture. He tilts his head to the side and stares hard at the worn kitchen floor. He thinks about Max alone in the dark, hot trailer with no one looking out for her and it makes his chest feel tight with concern and anger at her mom for leaving her alone.
He looks back at Max.] Listen, I can drive across town to see if you're telling the truth or we can sit down and talk about what's really going on. Either way, you know I'm not letting this go.
[ He gestures towards her, his shoulder pulling at the bandage she'd helped put in place yesterday.] I can't. And I know you can look after yourself, but I'm not just going to leave you on your own.
999 years later
Max! <3
Steve! <3
Re: Steve! <3
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Um. The latest backtag you've probably ever had...?
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[ Today he's trying and failing to read one of the books stacked up by Max's bedside. His mind keeps going in circles, flitting from how to keep Will and El safe to whether or not he should tell his parents about the kind of danger they're all in. He knows his dad already wants to pack up and leave Hawkins, he's heard the arguments through the walls of the upper bedrooms. He doesn't know why his mom wants to stay, but he's grateful. He's not going anywhere, even if the idea of his parents and Holly far away from here sounds like a good one.
After a few hours of prodding, he'd talked El and Lucas to let him take over Max sitting so they could go home and get a shower and much needed sleep. He knows they won't stay away for long, but at least he can give them a tiny bit of relief while he's also avoiding his sister.
He sighs and gives up on the book, tossing it back on the pile by Max's bedside. It's then that he thinks he sees her fingers twitch. Mike's breath catches in his throat and he immediately reaches out to take her hand.] Max? Max, can you hear me?
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He keeps telling her to focus, to go toward the other voices she can hear, because clearly he can hear them too even if that doesn't make sense. She doesn't understand, and nothing makes sense.
She never hears her mom. That doesn't make sense, though. Why wouldn't her mom be with her if she was in the hospital? Probably off drinking away her sorrows.
Time passes, but the voices are there, almost constantly. Once in awhile things are quiet, but she can hear the steady beeping of machines, hear light snoring nearby. And then the voices come back. And so does the pressure on her hand. Her eyebrows furrow, and this time she feels her fingers curl around whoever's holding her hand this time. The voice is familiar but she can't place it yet, either.]
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[ For once, his ungainly limbs come in handy and he mashes the button repeatedly until an annoyed sounding nurse comes over the intercom.] She's waking up. Get in here!
[ He lets go of the nurse's button, focusing back on Max. Her brow if furrowed as if she's trying to open her eyes, but can't quite manage it.]> Come on, Max. It's time to wake up. Please wake up.
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Mike? [Her voice is barely audible, raspy from disuse.] I can't -- I can't see.
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It's okay. [p It's not okay. None of this is okay. Max should be staring back at him with those deep blue and sharp eyes. The ones that have always seemed to see right through him to an unnerving degree. Instead, she doesn't even sound like herself. Her voice is small and faint, two things that have never been used to describe Max Mayfield. He swallows thickly, hoping the nurse will get her ass down there soon. ] I'm here. Lucas and El have been, but they went to shower and sleep. We've been waiting... [ For what? For this? It's still a miracle, even if she cant' see. At least she's here. ] You're in the hospital. A nurse is coming okay?
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Don't leave me here.
Please.
[There's fear in her voice now, but she can't see and she doesn't know who's coming. It could be a nurse or it could be Vecna or --]
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I'm afraid we won't be able to get anything from your house. But if you give me a list of anything you need, I will get it for you.
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[That starts painting a picture in her mind, of what all had happened after Vecna had killed her and El brought her back.]
It's okay. It was just stuff. But -- yeah. Thank you. I'll work on a list.
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