ACROSS THE STARS {stranger things • lumax}

ִ ࣪𖤐 𝚊 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚕 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚐𝚘𝚍

...lucas swapped places with max as bait?

spring break '86

~

Lucas's stomach churned as Max so willingly offered herself up as bait once again. Even worse, no one was stopping her. Not even Steve, who yesterday had been so adamant that she couldn't even leave the house, or Dustin, one of her best friends?

"He'll kill you," Lucas reminded her desperately.

But Max had that determined look in her eyes, the one that meant nothing was going to get in her way. Was it determination to defeat Vecna, who had apparently been haunting her for months with nightmares and headaches, or was the determination something much deeper? Robin was right, Vecna could and surely would hurt this time... and badly.

I can't lose her again.

Lucas knew what he needed to do.

——————————————————

What might've made the whole situation even worse was the young girl standing next to him, whose neck craned up to take in the whole monstrosity that was the Creel House. Of course, his sister Erica had to be the most stubborn of them all, insisting on coming along. He prayed that the plan would go smoothly, that she'd stay outside to give and receive signals and nothing more.

He looked away from Erica and focused now on Max who stood slightly ahead. He could see the way she took in labored breaths, even under the cloaking of her heavy corduroy jacket.

Lucas would always notice Max. He would always try to protect her.

Throughout the evening however, Lucas felt the confidence in his plan waver. What did he know about keeping Vecna at bay? As terrifying as it seemed, maybe Max was right.

I survived before, I can survive again.

Maybe good did prevail in this world.

I'll just think of a happy memory, and stay there.

I'll... hide in the light.

That statement had brought relief to Lucas if nothing else. He was proud of Max, proud that she was finally ready to escape the dark.

But could he let her go? Go towards the light?

Never.

So when she held up a drawing of the two, hand in hand at the movies, Lucas made a deal with God.

I'll do whatever it takes to see that smile again.

—————————————————————

Oh god, Lucas didn't know if he could ever erase the image of Max's eyes rolling into the back of her head, growing more icy blue than he thought possible. He bolted over to the window, poking his flashlight through the moldy planks of wood.

Come on, Erica, hurry up!

Lucas sighed in relief. His sister blinked her light a few times, initiating Phase Three.

He snatched up the Walkman from where Max left it, wasting no time to place the earphones over her head and switch on the power. The first notes of Running Up That Hill flowed mysteriously from the machine, and Lucas closed his eyes momentarily, seeing Max flinch from the sudden noise.

It was time.

He prayed, he willed her to wake up. That she would believe their friends had already made it to Vecna on the other side.