Work Text:
Max's POV:
Holy shit. She had just kissed El. And she liked it. “You were right.” El said bluntly. Max gave a questioning look, a blush forming on her sunkissed cheeks, “There is more to life than stupid boys.” Max giggled at her remark, El smiling sweetly.
“Do you still want to do nail painting?” Max asked.
“Yes. Can I have the lavender color?” El questioned. Max nodded and reached for the nail polish. “...Max? How can we even be boyfriend and girlfriend if we’re both girls?” Max sighed but smiled.
“This is why you can’t just hang out with Mike. I can see he’s taught you nothing.” Max grimaces slightly, thinking about Mike’s behavior towards Will this summer, Max had a feeling that Will liked boys. But she wouldn’t make assumptions. “Anyone can love anyone. No matter who they are.” Max stated.
“Anyone?” El asked almost in awe.
“Mhm. And another thing you need to know is standards. What Mike and Lucas did today was unacceptable okay? Do not throw away your life for some-”
“-Stupid boys.” El finished for her and they bursted out in laughter. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Max grunted and rolled her eyes as she stood up.
“It’s probably Mike. Hold on, I’ll tell him to piss off.” Max walked over to the front door, glancing at Hopper passed out on the couch. She opened the door, ready to start an argument.
“Will?” Max was taken aback by this. He looked small, scared, and soaked from the rain. She could see tears rolling down his face and knew she needed to fix this immediately. He didn’t answer her, he just looked down at the floor, “Will, what happened? Here, come inside.” She takes his hand and drags him to El’s room.
“Why is Will here?” El stands up, “Are you alright?” She questions. Again, Will doesn’t answer. Rather he stands there looking perplexed.
“It’s okay, we’re gonna get you dry…El, can he sleepover?” Max asked. El nodded and grabbed a towel off of the shelf. She also grabbed pajamas and put the pile in Will’s hands.
“You can put those on if you’d like.” El said sweetly. Will nodded and headed for the bathroom.
“Thank you.” He said quietly and left the room. When he got back, he just stood in the doorway, not knowing what to do. Max gestured to him to sit on the bed and El followed.
“Look, I’m not pushing you to talk, but could you tell us what happened?” Max asked. He nodded.
“Well Mike and I… got into a fight. He said really bad things to me and-”
“I swear to god I’m going to kill him.” Max exclaimed.
“-and I destroyed Castle Byers. I was soaked because of the rain and…I know something.” The girls looked baffled.
“What is it?” El asked.
“The Mindflayer. He’s back, I felt him.” He saw El’s face get 3 times more pale.
“No. We’re not worrying about that tonight. I’m not worrying about that tonight. We're going to have fun alright? Then we can figure this shit out.” Max broke the silence.
“Yes, we need to have time to ourselves. Plus, I don’t want to deal with Mike or Lucas right now.” El added.
“Well, since that’s settled, Will I brought over some comics, you can read any of them. I’m going to paint El’s nails, what should be the other color besides purple?” Max asked.
“Hmm…yellow.” Will decided. El gasped.
“That’s perfect!” El exclaimed. Max started on her nails and Will laid on the bed, reading a Wonder Woman comic. “Will, I’m sorry for not noticing you. You shouldn’t have to deal with those-”
“-Stupid boys.” Max and El said in unison. They all ended up laughing, and if the three were to take away anything from tonight is that there truly was more to life than stupid boys.