even weirder stuff || stranger things x female reader (season two)

fourteen - my name is kaz

Sunday, November 4, 1984

"...and so the gate was closed, but we never saw El again. And it was actually not that closed since it started growing underneath the ground, hence the Upside Down vines that grow under the city now and the Demodogs."

You were sitting cross-legged on the floor of the corridor that led to Joyce's room. In front of you, Kazuo played the role of your reflection, except for the fact he was looking down with a blank gaze, visibly lost in thoughts.

"I can't believe all of that happened to you," he shakes his head slowly. "You looked like a normal person."

"I did?" You smile, surprised.

"Not really, now that I think of it," he says after reflexion. "You did kick that dude's balls."

"He was bothering you!"

"True. Thank you. That was still weird though."

"Eh, I guess so."

"And you were dressed as Alice In Wonderland. Alice coming in like a hero and kicking someone's balls was really funny to see."

"At least I came with a disguise," you shrug. "It was a costume party. Who were you dressed as already?"

"The new hyper attractive guy from France with a cool leather jacket," he answers smugly, tugging at his collar.

"I see," you snort. "You portrayed that really well."

There is a small silence, during which you smile faintly at each other in the silence of the house. Hopper had called the army to the rescue, telling them about what happened at the lab, but they didn't seem like they were coming anytime soon. Will was still and always unconscious on the couch, Jonathan tending to him with Nancy's help. Joyce was in her room, and you didn't exactly know what she was doing but you assumed this had to do with mourning Bob. As for the kids, they were sat at the kitchen table, anxiously waiting, and Steve was busy stealing glances at his girlfriend - was she still his girlfriend? - and Jonathan.

"I hope my mom is still alive," Kazuo says after a minute. You press your lips into a thin line. "I know, it's dumb, but I... I don't want her to be, well, uhm, dead."

You can only hum empathetically. What could you tell him?

Oh, yes, I understand you don't want your mother to be dead. Personally, I think she is, but, you know, there's always hope.

"So she was working on that all along," he continues. "The gate, the Upside Down. She knew it existed."

"Yeaaah," you wince. "That's why I was kinda spooked when you told me where she worked at Tina's party."

"Oooh, I get it now. You must have thought I was a bad guy or something."

"Yeah, but then I saw you dancing and you lost all credibility as a bad guy. You've got funny moves, dude."

"I dance better than you."

"I beg to diff-"

"Hey, (Y/n), new guy," Dustin interrupts you. "I found a lot of old pancakes in the fridge, do you want some?"

"My name's Kaz."

"I actually made these pancakes," you nod, reaching for the plate Dustin was handing you.

"Really?" The boy raises his eyebrows, surprised. "They're pretty good. You've improved a lot." He looks back at Kazuo. "She used to burn everything she cooked and then force us to eat it. 'No food waste', she always says."

"Thank you," you ignore the last part and give him a faint smile, which he returns. You were all tired and sad, and despite your entertaining conversation with Kazuo, both of you still felt the obnoxious presence of anxiety and grief in your minds.