𝗖𝗥𝗨𝗘𝗟 𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗥, ᵐᵃˣ ᵐᵃʸᶠⁱᵉˡᵈ (DISCONTINUED)

𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 － Unspoken Secrets

—

The air between Max and Maeve is thick with tension as Maeve tosses a pair of pajamas onto the bed. Max picks them up, her fingers brushing the soft fabric, but her mind is still on what almost happened. She can't help but replay the moment in her head—their faces so close, Maeve's hand gently cradling her cheek. For a second, she had felt brave, like nothing in the world mattered except that fleeting connection.

Maeve, on the other hand, is pacing the room, eyes darting between the floor and Max, nervous energy practically radiating from her. "You can change in here if you want," she mutters, but then quickly adds, "Or, you know, the bathroom's just down the hall."

Max gives her a small smile, feeling more at ease now that the awkward moment is over. "I'll be quick," she says, grabbing the pajamas and heading towards the door.

Maeve watches her go, heart still racing from what almost happened. She flops onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. What the hell just happened? She couldn't deny that she liked Max—more than she had realized. But this was dangerous territory, especially with everything going on in Hawkins. The last thing she needed was more complication in her life.

The sound of the bathroom door creaking open snaps Maeve out of her thoughts. Max walks back into the room, now wearing the borrowed pajamas that hang a little too big on her. She looks so different from her usual tough, guarded self—vulnerable, maybe even a little unsure.

Maeve sits up on the bed, patting the spot next to her. "Come sit," she says softly.

Max hesitates for a moment, but then crosses the room and sits down beside her. The silence between them is comfortable now, the awkwardness having faded into something more gentle, more understanding.

"I'm sorry," Maeve says after a long pause. "About earlier. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

Max shakes her head. "You didn't," she says quickly. "I just... I've never done anything like that before. You know, with a girl." She fidgets with the sleeve of the oversized pajama top. "It kind of freaked me out, but not in a bad way. Just... new."

Maeve nods, understanding completely. "It's okay to be freaked out," she says. "I was too, the first time. But... if it helps, I'm glad it was with you."

Max looks at her, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Yeah, me too."

They sit there for a while longer, just the two of them, the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air. Maeve wants to say something more, to tell Max that she likes her, that this whole night has made her realize just how much. But the words won't come. Instead, she reaches for Max's hand again, the same way she had done before, and this time, Max doesn't pull away.

✧.*

Meanwhile, across town, Jennifer is guiding a stumbling Nancy through the front door of her house. Nancy is still a little wobbly, her drunkenness making her both giddy and clumsy, but Jennifer doesn't mind. She keeps an arm around her waist, leading her to the couch.

"You really didn't have to do this," Nancy slurs, her voice soft but slurred as she plops down onto the cushions.

Jennifer smiles, sitting next to her. "It's fine. You're a mess, Wheeler, but I've got you."

Nancy giggles at that, leaning her head back and closing her eyes. "God, Steve is such an idiot sometimes," she mutters, more to herself than to Jennifer.

Jennifer doesn't respond to that. She's never been a fan of Steve, especially not when he and Nancy are like this. Instead, she quietly grabs a glass of water from the kitchen, bringing it back for Nancy.

"Drink this," she says, placing the glass in Nancy's hands. "You'll thank me in the morning."

Nancy takes a sip, her eyes fluttering open as she glances at Jennifer. "You're too good to me," she whispers, and for a second, Jennifer thinks Nancy might be serious.

"Yeah, well, someone has to be," Jennifer replies, her tone light but with an edge of sincerity.

Nancy shifts closer, her head resting on Jennifer's shoulder. "You always take care of me," she murmurs. Jennifer feels her heart skip a beat. She's had feelings for Nancy for as long as she can remember, but she's never dared to say anything, not while Steve is still in the picture. But moments like these make it hard to keep everything bottled up.

"Get some sleep, Nancy," Jennifer whispers, leaning her head against Nancy's.

Nancy doesn't respond, already half-asleep, her breathing evening out as the room grows quiet. And even though nothing has changed, Jennifer feels a small flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, things could be different between them someday.

✧.*

Jonathan and Olivia walk through the woods, the sounds of the party long behind them. Olivia had dragged him out here, away from the noise, away from the chaos, and now they're walking in comfortable silence. Jonathan appreciates it. Olivia always seems to know when he needs a break from everything.

"I just needed to get out of there," Olivia says after a while, kicking at the leaves on the ground. "Too much noise."

Jonathan nods. "Yeah, I get it. Not really my scene either."

They keep walking, the cool air brushing against their skin, and for a moment, Jonathan forgets about everything else—about Will's episodes, about Nancy, about the Upside Down. Right now, it's just him and Olivia, and that's enough.

"So," Olivia says, breaking the silence, "are you ever going to tell her how you feel?"

Jonathan stiffens, glancing at her. "What do you mean?"

Olivia gives him a knowing look. "Nancy. I've seen the way you look at her."

Jonathan sighs, running a hand through his hair. "It's complicated."

"Isn't everything?" Olivia replies, a small smile on her face. She nudges him gently. "You should tell her, you know. Before it's too late."

Jonathan doesn't answer, but he knows she's right.