Stranger Things Max x Lucas/ What I hope will happen in season 5.

Chapter 17: panic attack

A week later, in the cool darkness of a moonlit night at Hopper's cabin, Dustin, Lucas, Mike, Eleven, and Will found themselves huddled around their walkie-talkies, their voices crackling through the static as they spoke to each other in hushed tones. The time was 1 am, and the late-night conversations added a sense of camaraderie and comfort amidst the stillness of the night.

Meanwhile, in the coziness of Max and Lucas's shared bed, Lucas lay on his back, one arm draped over Max's waist as he spoke into his walkie-talkie, his voice low and soothing. "Hey, guys, you up for some late-night chatter?" he whispered into the device, the soft glow of the moonlight casting shadows on the walls.

Max, nestled against Lucas's side, listened with a small smile, her hand tracing lazy patterns on his chest as she heard the familiar voices of their friends coming through the walkie-talkie. She felt a sense of peace and contentment in the quiet of the night, surrounded by the soothing sounds of their friends' voices.

But as the conversation carried on, Max suddenly felt a wave of panic wash over her, her breath catching in her throat as her heart raced uncontrollably. She clutched at Lucas's arm, her grip tight and trembling, her eyes wide with fear.

Panicked, Lucas quickly reached over and turned off the walkie-talkie, his attention fully on Max. "Max, hey, what's wrong? Are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern as he tried to soothe her.

Max's breathing came in short gasps, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she struggled to calm herself. "I-I don't know, Lucas. I just... I don't know," she stammered, her voice shaky and uncertain.

Without hesitation, Lucas wrapped his arms around Max, pulling her close to him as he whispered words of reassurance, his touch gentle and grounding. "It's okay, Max. Just focus on your breathing. You're safe here with me," he murmured, his voice a steady presence in the darkness.

Max buried her face in Lucas's chest, tears welling in her eyes as she tried to regain control of her racing thoughts. She felt the steady rhythm of Lucas's heartbeat beneath her ear, a comforting cadence that brought a sense of calm to her racing mind.

As they sat there in the quiet of the night, Max's head nestled against Lucas's chest and his head resting on top of hers, they found solace in each other's presence, their shared bond a source of strength in the face of Max's anxiety. In that moment, words were unnecessary, for the silent comfort they found in each other's arms spoke volumes more than any conversation ever could.