A reason to fight for.//elmax-Madmage

Chapter 17:

'You might want to sit down Max.' Max obeyed, no questions asked. Her whole body was trembling, but she tried really hard to keep it together. Kali noticed and obviously understood how she was feeling. 'You're not in trouble, don't worry.' Max let out a sigh of relief, and Eleven gave Kali a thankful nod. Hopper finally spoke up. 'As your mom left, which we're all sorry about-' Max interrupted him plainly and stated. 'You're sending me away.' Eleven walked up next to her, furious about it. 'No! She's not going anywhere! If you want to take her, you will have to get through me first!' Joyce and Will looked at each other, with an "knew it" look. Robin chuckled, which made Eleven tense up. 'Who the fuck are you, and what are laughing about?' Robin raised her hands. 'No one is sending her away.' Max and Eleven looked at each other, more confused than ever, well, not really, they've been more confused, if you know what I mean?

'Robin (points at her) here has a foster license, god knows for what reason, but she has one. She is 18, she has her own apartment and she has a job, while still going to school.' Robin put a hand on Will's shoulder, telling him, to let her take over, to which the little Byers answered with a nod. Robin sat down, in front of Max. 'When I heard about what happened, I just knew that I had to do something about it. I made my foster license for cases like this. So, it's time to use it. So, what do you say Maxine? Sounds good to you?' Max didn't even care that she just got called by her full name, she couldn't believe that someone would actually want her. Willingly. Robin could sense the hesitation, and looked up at the others. 'I'd like to have a moment alone with Max, if that's ok?' She was mainly asking the overprotective young brunette, who was watching her every move. Max followed her gaze and locked eyes with Eleven. The redhead gave her a reassuring smile and an encouraging nod, so Eleven gave Robin one last look and left with the others.

Robin gently took Max's hand, which made her tense up. 'Hey, it's ok. I'm here to help you, not to hurt you. Listen Max, I know you're scared, I get it. I would be terrified if I were you. But you need to understand that not the entire world is out to get you. People care about you. Look around. You think we would be here if we didn't care? Every single person in this house deeply cares about you. We want to protect you. To keep you safe. I've been independent since I was a kid. My mother was constantly drunk, and my dad never showed interest until he left. I was raised by a drunk single mother, with no job. I had to make the money. I'm not proud of how I made it, but I did. I know how messed up the world can be, but I learned that there are good people out there. People like Joyce, Hopper, even little Byers, but mostly like Eleven.' Robin got closer and whispered. 'I bet you 500 bucks that she's watching us.' Max looked past Robin and indeed she saw Eleven, which made her giggle. 'So? What do you say? Will you give me a chance? Pretty sure if I do something wrong, your girlfriend back there is going to snap my neck.' She whispered that last part. Max chuckled and cleared her throat. 'Yes, but she's not my girlfriend.' Robin raised and eyebrow. 'Oh kid, only love makes someone that overprotective.' Max's cheeks flushed and she looked at Eleven, who didn't seem to have heard what Robin said. 'Not my girlfriend.' Robin chuckled and corrected her. 'Not yet. So, is that a yes? About you coming with me, not the (points behind her) thing.' Max nodded. 'Yes. But, I need you to promise something.' Robin nodded and lightly squeezed her hand. 'Anything.' Max looked at their hands. 'No matter how weird, how awkward, no matter how much I annoy you, which I probably will, please, don't ever leave me.' Robin moved her second hand to Max's shoulder, which made the ginger look up. 'I promise. I'll never leave you, or hurt you in any way.' Tears were starting to fall from the redhead, to which Robin responded with a hug.

Eleven saw the tears and quickly walked in. 'Hey!' Max shook her head as Robin pulled away and looked confused at the younger brunette. 'Happy tears, El.' Robin raised an eyebrow, looked at Max and smirked. Max hid her face in her hands. Then the adults walked in, amused by Eleven's reaction. ' Have you made a decision? No pressure.' Kali put an arm around Eleven and squeezed her. She whispered something to her. 'We're talking later.' Eleven's confusion grew. 'Yes, I'm going with Robin.' Hopper nodded and looked at Robin. 'I'll call Flo then, to check on everything. Making sure that your license isn't expired, or if you have a criminal case.' Robin shook her head, but then stopped and looked like she had just realized something. She looked down on her feet and started fidgeting with the sleeve of her black hoodie. 'Robin?'

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A/N: hello there. Ok, so, I know that I said that ELMAX would happen in like chapter 20, but I'm sorry, I couldn't do it that way. So, I am starting chapter 22 right now, trying to give you at least some friendship ELMAX.