Chapter Text
" Would you move" Max yelled loudly, shoving Lucas off her hospital bed. Okay, maybe she's being a bit dramatic, but the boy has been hovering around her bedside for a week now; she needs a break. The doctors told her they'd discharge her in a few days, but she's still on bed rest until she gets better mobility with her legs. They did give her this sick walker that she got to put cool stickers on, plus all the gang except the byers got to sign. Speaking of another reason she was anxious, and the byers were scheduled to move back to Hawkins today, she hasn't seen El since her vecna-induced dream and the occasional facetime call here and there. Ever since their time in max's head, there's been a un ignorable tension between the two girls. Max knows they'll have to talk about it, but El has been too sweet about max's situation. After some laser eye surgery, her eyesight is getting better, and with Pt, her legs will be back to their kick-ass state, but right now, she's useless, needing assistance to go to the bathroom. So, everyone's walking on eggshells with her, which she hates.
" Dude, I'm not even that close. What's up your ass today? You've been extra cranky," Lucas said, picking himself up and brushing off his pants.
" no, I'm not. You smell like a boy, and I don't need that in my bed," Max said, crossing her arms stubbornly with a huff.
" Oh yeah, right, I forgot you're saving that spot for Elllll," Lucas said dreamily, making kissing noises as he did so, causing max to throw a pillow at what she thought would be his head but missed. " Is that what bothers you? Are you nervous about seeing your girl crush? El is hella excited to come to see you after getting settled. She even agreed to take the night shift so I could sleep in my own bed for once. Thank God these hospital couches make me want to unalive myself," Lucas said, laughing at max's failed attempt, picking up the pillow and gently placing it back on the bed.
" oh my god, shut it; no one asked you to sleep here," Max said, exaggerating, placing her hands over her face to hide her blush at the thought of spending the night with El.
" y'know, I heard her and mike broke up," Lucas said casually, taking a seat at max's bedside.
" Wait, they did. Why did no one tell me" Max yelled " wait, grab my phone, is it in the chat? Did I miss it, " Max said, turning to find her phone?
" No, no, Mike told the party but didn't want to broadcast it. Their relationship got rocky, and after everything, they thought it best to take a break plus, Mike said El has feelings for someone else, " Lucas explained sadly, knowing how much his best friend was hurting from this breakup but wanting to show max she had a chance with her crush. Where one love fails, another can blossom or some shit like that. Honestly, Lucas is annoyed with all his friend's blooming romances. The only girl he liked came out as a lesbian, and now he's forced to be her wingman. She gives him good advice every once in a while, plus their relationship never gets awkward or weird. Fairtrade for his heartbreak, right?
" fuckkk, I can't tell her now. She's probably all heartbroken over wheeler plus. Isn't there a bro code or some shit like that?" Max said nervously. She had planned on telling Eleven about her crush, and she indeed did, but it was more of a ' hey, I know you got a boyfriend, but I got stupid gay feelings for you we're going to ignore so we can be besties" type thing now she has to rehearse a new speech.
" Not saying you had to tell her anything now. I doubt you're both ready for any relationships right now. I'm just giving you some information before I dip and leave you by your lonesome," Lucas said sympathetically, rising from his spot and clapping his hands together, indicating he was getting ready to leave.
" Wait, where are you going," Max asked, still in her head about seeing the brunette of her dreams quite literally this time considering her situation.
" The byers get her in 30 minutes. Gotta go help them unpack so you can see your girl sooner," Lucas said, laughing at his joke and moving toward the exit as max flipped him off.
" Knock knock, little red," Robin said, knocking at Max's door two minutes after Lucas had left.
'Y'know, you guys don't always have to be here. It's okay if I'm alone every once in a while," Max said, smirking, nonetheless happy to have the older girl's company. They have grown a lot closer, and as much as max hated to admit it, Robin was starting to become her favorite out of the older kids.
" Oh, this is not for your benefit. I need more gay gossip time hearing Steve talk about how hot Eddie's fangs are starting to give me a migraine, besides I need a distraction from yknow my girlfriend's ex is in town and her being excited about seeing him again scares the shit out of me like I know they broke up before he left for California, but a girl still gets insecure every once in a while," Robin said dropping her bag jumping dramatically onto the foot of max's bed causing the ginger to laugh loudly.
" You, Robin Buckley, jealous of asexual Johnathon byers is the funniest thing ever," Max said, kicking the older redhead to position her foot better to give Robin some space.
" Wait, he's ace' Robin asked, lifting her head to speak.
" oop, I wasn't supposed to say anything Will told us in the chat so we could research. I thought you knew," Max said, moving to sit up straight to make some room for Robin.
" But asexual people still date and feel, so that's not a valid reason for me not to be jealous they were in love and shit red in love like Nancy said the words to him, and you know how much the wheelers hate those three words," Robin said flaring her hands " she kissed me goodbye today. It didn't feel the same I know she's going to dump me because how can someone as amazing as Nancy fucking wheeler date a fucking loser like me" Robin said, sitting up to pace the room.
" Oh, for fuck's sake, Nancy isn't going to dump you because her ex is in town dingus; you're fucking amazing, dude, plus I owe her an ass whooping if she breaks your ass, and I'm not in a position to deliver on that " Max said rolling her eyes at her friend's antics.
" You don't know that she left Steve for him," Robin yelled comically, running her fingers through her already tousled hair.
" To be fair, Steve was an asshole, and you're a walking goofball, so there's no real comparison," Max said, laughing at how ridiculous Robin was.
" Not funny, red I'm worried," Robin said, stopping her pacing to lay next to the younger girl.
" Hey, hey, come on, Nancy likes you. She shows you every day she gets you those silly stuffy all the time, watches those dumb movies with you, plus she keeps all your drawings in her car. Nancy wheeler isn't dumb enough to dump you for an old flame. She's probably just excited to see him in person. They're still friends; honestly, I think their breaking up was the best thing to happen. Their friendship is better than ever—they're pretty annoying together. I'd be more worried about you leaving Nancy once you see what an actual mystery nerd she is," Max explained, trying to ease the anxious teen. Gesturing for Robin to place her head on her shoulder, the taller girl did so with no hesitation. Sometimes Max found it hilarious how much Robin craved physical affection, but she wasn't going to mention that to her friends, at least not right now. She saves that roast for another day.
" What if " Robin started, but then her phone dinged the newspaper text tone she had for Nancy, causing her to jump up off the bed to get her phone.
" Lemme guess what it says " hey baby thought of you gay gay gay gay," max said, joking, smirking, waiting for Robin to read the text.
" She asked if I wanted to meet at her place tonight, that's it, " Robin said, fear in her tone " No emoji red Nancy knows I need those. I'm terrible at social cues," robin said, falling backward onto the bed. " She's so breaking up with me," Robin said, dropping her phone on top of max, who rolled her eyes, picking up the device and calling Nancy. " What are you doing," Robin asked, trying to reach the device.
" Calling your girlfriend so that she can calm you down, and I can listen to my music in peace," Max said in a matter-of-fact tone.
" hey, Hun, everything okay I know I forgot to tell you what time, but I was typing fast. I just got to the Byers," Nancy said on the other line noise in the background. Max tossed the phone her way, turning to grab her headphones and phone.
" uh hey Nance, sorry accident," Robin said, laughing awkwardly, flipping max off before rising from her spot to pacing again.
" Oh, okay, you okay? You sound off," Nancy asked, concern in her voice, causing Robin to smile slightly.
"I always sound weird, Nance; it's my natural tone, but I'm just here annoying Lil red, as usual, being my goofy, awkward self, nothing to worry about. Max is fine, I'm fine, we're fine, everything is peachy keen, " Robin Squeak out as fast as possible, causing max to raise an eyebrow at the apparent nervousness in her voice.
" rob," Nancy started in a tone. Robin knew all too well it was the I understand something wrong. You can either tell me now, or I'll find out later.
" Okay, fine. Are you going to break up with me because Johnathon is in town? I know I'm your first girlfriend, and sometimes I can be a goof, and I say the wrong thing, but I like you. These last three months have been amazing. I'll do whatever you want me to, don't end things. I like you, Nance, as I like you, like you like I can't stop thinking about you as I'll go upside down crazy if you ended thing like,' Robin began ranting out, pacing furiously now, causing Max to take her headphones off to check on the older girl.
" Robin' Nancy yelled slightly, causing Robin to stop talking ' Baby, breathe, I'm not planning on breaking up with you for Johnathon. We're just friends; I like where we're at. You've made me feel more in these three months than I ever felt with Steve or Johnathon," Nancy said. Robin could hear the slight blush in her voice, knowing how reserved Nancy tends to be about broadcasting her feelings.
" ouch, hurtful," Robin heard a voice say, which she assumed was none other than Johnathon.
" Oh, shut it. I'm talking to my handsome girlfriend. Go in your corner and touch your camera or something," Nancy yelled " Robin, I got to go. I'm supposed to be helping. I promise you we're okay, alright when I see you later, I'll prove it to you," Nancy said, voice light and suggestive, causing Robin to start blushing.
" Oh, okay," robin awkwardly said, smiling slightly to herself now standing still, listening intently to her girlfriend on the other end of the phone.
' I got to go, hun. I'll text you when I can try to relax and play that game you and max love so much, okay? I'll pick up some red vines and skittles for you on my way back; we'll have a movie night with endless cuddles. How does that sound" Nancy said, causing Robin to break into a face-splitting smile.
" Sounds great, can't wait; it's a date; see you then," Robin said, biting her lip and hanging up the call, now excited for her date with Nancy.
" all good," Max asked, putting on the glasses the doctors gave her and looking down at her phone nonchalantly.
" all good want to get your ass whooped in among us," robin asked, taking her spot next to the other girl again.
" In your dreams, Buckley," Max said, switching apps on her phone so that they could start their game.
On the other side of town, Nancy placed her phone in her pocket, sighing at the thought of her girlfriend's jealousy.
" Y'know her jealousy isn't completely off," Jonathon stated, entering the room now taking off his shirt.
" Oh, shut up and come here," Nancy said, rolling her eyes.