Cuts & Bruises [Max x Reader]

Closed Off

After coming up with a plan to save Will and close the gate you and the others quickly jumped into action. Everyone was going to be splitting up, You, Eleven and Hopper together, Johnathan, Nancy, Joyce and Will together and Steve with the boys and Max.

Before you left for the laboratory Hopper gave you and Eleven a chance to say goodbye to your friends. You currently stood with Max, Dustin and Lucas, a sad smile on your face as you gazed at your closest friends...and Max.

Holding your arms out for all three friends you pull them into a group hug. They laugh and hug you back tightly "Kick some ass, Ten." Dustin speaks up first, slightly lisping like he did when you first met "Yeah, kick some ass n/n....Please don't die."

You roll your eyes and laugh at Lucas "Gee, thanks for the confidence boost genius." You flick him on the side of the head and he chuckles before pulling away. Dustin pulls away too and both boys stare at you with a knowing look as Max still holds onto you.

You glare at them and stick your tongue out as they both stifle a laugh and begin to walk away, giving you and Max a moment alone as you hold onto each other. You rub Maxes back and squeeze her tightly before pulling away to stare into her eyes.

She sighs and stares at you "You better come back, Stalker." You chuckle "I will, Madmax...I promise." She nods and gazes into your eyes "I'm serious, Y/n. If you don't come back I'm gonna steal your skateboard and all your favorite vinyls and comics from the record store."

Jaw dropping you gasp "You wouldn't!" She quints at you "I would." You stare at her and shrug "Well its a shame we'll never know if you're telling the truth...cause I'm not dying." Max nods "Good!" "Good!"

The both of you laugh and stare into each others eyes as you fall quiet, smiles etched onto both of your faces as you gaze at each other.

"Come on girls, it's time to go!"

Glancing over your shoulder you huff. Hopper stood by his truck, halfway in the drivers seat and halfway out, an impatient look on his face as he tapped his fingers on the door he held open. You roll your eyes and turn back to Max as she laughs, a smile tugging on your lips at the sound.

Pulling you into one more hug Max rests her head on your shoulder, squeezing you tightly as she embraces you "Go save the world, Stalker." You nod and squeeze her back just as hard before pulling away. You smile down at her and just as your about to walk away Max gently wraps her fingers around your wrist, making you stop.

You turn to question her, but you fumble with your words as she presses a kiss to your cheek "See you soon." Giggling at your flustered state Max walks over to Lucas and Dustin who laugh and howl at her jokingly.

You take a deep breath to calm your beating heart before sending her a shy smile and walking over to Hoppers truck, passing by Mike and Eleven as they too say their last goodbye before heading different ways.

Walking up to Hopper you ignore his slight smirk and hop into the back of the truck, not wanting to hear any of his playful banter about Max kissing your cheek. He seems to understand you don't want to talk about it and pulls himself back from picking on you as he finishes his cigarette and steps into the truck.

Eleven hops into the front seat after saying goodbye to Mike and Hopper starts the truck before backing out of the gravel driveway and onto the main road toward the laboratory. You wave your final goodbye to your friends as you pull away before turning your attention to the passing scenery.