#stranger things facfiction

[imagines-by-a-typical-fangirl]

The One I've Been Waiting For {Part 13 of 13}

Word count: 1.3 K

Summary: Billy Hargrove is just one of the many students you're supposed to help. The last thing you expect from your interaction is that he'll start flirtt with you... Much less that Billy would stir up feelings you'd rather keep hidden. Despite the mutual sentiments that soon enough start to grow, there are a lot of reasons for whatever it is to be left alone, and one of them is your age...

{Stranger Things Masterlist}

A/N: In this story, reader is 5 years older than Billy, who's 18.

•••

Epilogue

 You're seated on Billy's lap on the armchair, softly swinging your legs. He's explaining about this new research he'll be participating in his internship. Billy is currently studying whales, and you've never seen him so excited about anything before. He even got you a necklace with a whale's tail pendant.

 “And that means I get to bring you when we go whale watching.” He says, pecking your lips. “The Marine Biologist and the veterinarian. We're a perfect match.”

 “No shit! Really?” You smile, wrapping your arms around his neck. “That will be amazing.” Kissing him again, you only pull away when the bell rings.

 “I'm showering!” Max yells from her bedroom.

 “Maxine, aren't you the official door opener?” Billy shouts back.

 “Well, since I'm at the top this time, I'll get the door.” You say, pushing yourself up and winking at Billy. Before you even open the door, you know who's on the other side because of the many voices. So you yell at the same time you pull the door open, at the top of your lungs. “YOU'RE ONE DAY EARLY!” You burst out, making them scream like scared, little babies.

 “Damn it!” Billy mutters from the inside, and you know you scared him too.

 Looking at the kids, you smile. They'll spend two weeks here with Maxine, but you guess they decided to make a surprise and show up earlier. “Come on in.” Stepping aside, you watch as the small army moves inside. Mike is carrying a box, which gets your attention. “What's that about?”

 “It's your first-anniversary gift.” Eleven answers as Mike puts it on the couch. “But you can't open until Wednesday.”

 “But now I'm curious!” You complain, walking over to the box.

 But Lucas and Dustin stand in your way. “Nah, nah. Wednesday only.”

 Showing off your tongue, you go back to Billy, sitting on his lap again. “Let's wake up real early and take a peak.” You whisper in his ear.

 “Definitely.” He answers, placing a soft kiss on your neck.

 You've been married for almost a year now. You and Billy had a simple party, for family and friends only. It was beautiful, and it happened on the beach. And Billy has been a responsible man now, a loving, gentle husband. There were times when he told you that he was scared to be like his father, but you told him then, and you'll keep telling him for as long as he needs, that he isn't.

 Some people say that you got married too early, still trying to find flaws in your life. But the truth is that every day with Billy is the best day ever. You do have some arguments, but you never go to sleep before settling things down. Love is the priority, and neither of you will let anything get in the way of that.

 But what really matters to you, is how happy Billy is. He tells you that almost every day when you wake up, still in bed. He thanks you for the life you've given him, for your love and patience. He says that he doesn't think he deserves this. But he does.

 When Maxine is done showering and comes to the living room, you smile to see how happy she is with the surprise. Life is good now, and it'll only get better.

°°°

 Billy's heart is filled with good things. Only good things. He left the past where it belongs. All the anger, the bitterness, the agony... She chased it all away. (Y/N), the light of his life.

 “So, Wednesday,” Maxine says, a finger pointing at (Y/N) and her brother. “You two will have an amazing romantic day at that super romantic hotel, and then come back here for your party.”

 “And open this huge box!” (Y/N) says, jumping on his lap a little.

 “And to open your gift.” Max rolls her eyes. “But until then-”

 “Beach. Pretty please.” Dustin asks in a fake begging tone. “I've been daydreaming about his for weeks. Can we just go?”

 “Go put on your swimsuits, kids.” (Y/N) is still speaking when they move. Billy caresses her side to get her attention and smiles at her when she looks down at him.

 “Why don't we go change as well? There will be a nice sunset today.”

 “Mmm.” She raises an eyebrow, a half smile on her lips. “The kids will crowd the house for a few days. And we'll have plenty of time to join them at the beach. Why don't we stay here and enjoy some alone time?”

 At this awesome idea, Billy smirks. “It sounds way better than going to the beach with some kids.”

 “It sure does, love.”

 “I love it when you call me that.” He whispers, his thumb caressing her lower lip. And he does. It melts his heart every damn time. Hearing her use that word referring to him in that soft, honey voice... Drives him crazy.

°°°

 “That's precisely why I call you that, love.” Smiling, you stand up. “And you should enjoy some action while you still can. I'm late this month so any day now.” You say, stopping before the box. You were super embarrassed in the beginning when it came to these things, but Billy always made you feel comfortable. “What the hell can this be?”

 “You're late.” He says, and you glance at him before looking down at the box again.

 “Yeah, that's what I said.”

 “You're... Really late.” He repeats and, deciding to leave the box be, for now, you turn towards him.

 “... Are you keeping track of my period, Billy Hargrove?” Crossing your arms, you raise an eyebrow.

 “Yeah. I drive past the drugstore every day, I'm the one who buys you tampons most of the time, (Y/N) Hargrove.” That makes you blush, and you stick your tongue out at him before walking to the kitchen. “And...” He starts, following you and leaning against the sink as you take a bottle of water. “It's always a party when your period is over. For both of us.” With that stupid smirk on, Billy comes closer, pinning you against the sink.

 “Would you keep it down? We have a bunch of kids to be aware of.” You whisper.

 “How late are you, babe?”

 “I don't know. I don't really keep track of it. I only know it's coming because I have cramps.” Shrugging your shoulders, you look at the fridge, at the calendar. “Mmm... Been a while actually.”

 “So.” He mutters, his big hand laying on your stomach. “There's a possibility it won't be coming any time soon.”

 “What?” You nervously chuckle, pushing him away when you hear the kids coming. “I don't think so, Billy.”

 “Well, we're not always being careful, are we?”

 “And whose fault is that?” You ask, hands on your hips.

 “Fifty percent mine.” He answers with a smile.

 “Billy, forget it. I'm just...” Your voice fades as you take a closer look at the calendar. “...Around two weeks late.”

 “Kids!” He yells, startling you. “You gotta walk. I'm taking car one to the drugstore and car two won't fit all of you.”

 “What the hell, Billy,” Maxine complains, coming to the kitchen with her army behind her. “What do you need from there? We have the meds box, and it's full.”

 “I'm not buying any meds.” He says, as you just watch the scene, arms crossed. “I just need a pregnancy test.” And with that, he's off, leaving you with all of those wide-eyed kids.

 “Oh. My. God.” Dustin mutters.

 “Holy shit, I can't believe it!” Maxine shouts, and you slide a hand under your shirt, touching your belly.

 It's still too early to be sure, but you were never been this late before... And you remember feeling sick a couple of days ago. So maybe, just maybe, there's a tiny, fresh life growing inside you.

 “Maybe...” You whisper, a smile taking over your lips at the thought of having a baby with Billy. “Maybe.”

•••

@aunicornmademedoit @alexa4040 @goth-cowgirl-03 @nyctophilic0vitnir @minispice-1

[cherrywoodpecker]

Perennial Heart | Alec Utgoff x Reader | Chapter One

Summary: when you suddenly leave your home life to fly to a foreign country to find yourself, you never imagined you’d find someone else.

Have been debating about whether to make it a songfic or not so I’ve decided that the Paired Listening is optional. Yes, it’s an ABBA songfic. let me live

Word Count: 1717

Paired Listening (optional): “Knowing Me Knowing You” by ABBA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dpsn_mgEJ_w

Authors note: I’ve already wrote this once before my fic was deleted, so here’s the skinny

• This first chapter will mostly be development of the reader’s backstory and Alec’s backstory

• I’ve based the reader’s backstory on something that happened to me last year that I haven’t been able to talk about with anyone so I’m writing this chapter more for myself than anyone else, but it still goes with the story and will still be relevant, HOWEVER

•because of this, I’m going to make this first chapter optional. If you’re not super into reading it because it’s mostly development, that’s fine. You should be able to tell what happens if you start on chapter two

• this is my first time writing fanfic in a while so it might not be great but if you decide to read it then thank you anyway!!

TW FOR CHEATING

As you stepped inside your house, soaked in rain, you couldn’t help but feel like it was made of plastic. Sure, it looked like a real house, but in this moment, everything felt fake and manufactured. It reminded you of being young, when you would play in an old cardboard box. You could pretend it was a spaceship or a car or a house all you wanted, but your enjoyment inside the box was fixed to the central fantasy that the box was anything but what it was. 

This is how your house felt, real all the way up until someone realizes that the realness of it is based on a lie, and that is when it begins to bend and sog and peel like something from the dollar store. 

You had just found out your lie, and your house was peeling. 

To start, you loved Seth. You knew you did. He made you smile, tried to show that he cared, and was the first human being that made you feel like you were loved unconditionally. He wasn’t always nice, but you two always found an end to your arguments, even if it took a while to get there. 

You two had just moved into a small house together. You were still renting, but it was cozier than an apartment. 

That morning, you were supposed to drop Seth off at work and come back to the house. You didn’t have much to do. You were just waiting for the summer to start up so you could start working again. That morning, after you had finished getting ready, you walked into the bedroom to grab something so inconsequential you don’t even remember what it was anymore. Seth was sitting on the bed with his back to you, scrolling on his phone. You walked over to lovingly rub his shoulder, but something petrified you in your tracks. 

Seth was on a dating app. 

It was a week before your one year anniversary. 

You can’t remember what you said, but you made some sort of signal to let him know you were there. You considered playing it off as if you hadn’t seen anything, as it looked like that was Seth’s plan as well, but the tears in your eyes and frozen look of miserable disgust on your face could not hide what you knew now. 

He tried to explain himself, do away with blame and explain that it was merely for the mindless enjoyment of it all, but you knew better. You wailed like a lamb at the slaughter. You let yourself go to your knees and clutched at the carpet as if that would have saved you from spiraling into the thoughts that had just been introduced to you. As he kept bumbling you felt your organs turn to lead and the taste in your mouth go sour. You left him in the middle of his sentence to go to the bathroom. 

You huddled over the toilet, waiting to be sick, crying into it and feeling tears parade down your face. Seth followed you into the bathroom and sat on the floor next to you. You were wailing. You couldn’t remember exactly what, but you’re sure you asked him why he did this to you and why you weren’t good enough for him, as those were the only two thoughts you were capable of thinking in those moments. He began to cry. Seth never cried. 

You remember parts of yourself thinking that it was sad to see him cry, and another thought he looked fucking pathetic, but you couldn’t feel the emotion of these statements as your psyche was blinded by the numbness of overwhelming grief. 

You slammed your fist on the floor. You asked him a question. He sputtered something out through blubbery tears again and you slammed your fist down again. 

He tried to gently touch your hand, calling you his soulmate and his love. You threw your hand back, and very clearly told him not to touch you. You kept wailing and wailing and crying and crying until you made no sound, just staring at the ceiling with the same horrified face, unable to make any sound. 

as the wave of anguish began to subside, it was replaced by a calm pool of numb. You couldn’t feel much emotion after that. Your organs felt tired. 

You looked at Seth and recognized that normally, seeing him this sad would put you in a large deal of emotional discomfort. You felt nothing. You also recognized that you cared about yourself too much to deal with Seth being such a fucking baby right now. You still felt nothing. You were a voyeur in your own body, unable to personally feel what you knew what you were supposed to. 

Wiping tears from your face, you began to speak calmly.

“Seth, let me take you to work. We can talk about this tonight.”

Seth told you he’d be much more comfortable taking the day off work, but you insisted he go. You told him you needed some time alone to process. You promised things would be better this way. Hesitantly, he obliged, and you drove him to work in heavy silence. 

And here you were, at home, with the foundation of your household crumbling before you. This was no longer your home, your threshold. 

You took a few seconds to look around, and made up your mind. 

You ran upstairs. 

After rifling through your drawers, you found the bag full of tips you kept from last season at your job. You worked as a tour guide for a tourism company, so you always had to save tips for the months you’d be out of work;

but you weren’t going to use them for rent anymore. 

You threw the tip bag into a larger duffel bag and began circling your room like a vulture looking for the essentials: Toiletries, notebooks, pens, chargers for your phone, and an old camera from the 90′s that used to be your mom’s. After packing those, the bag seemed full.

You retrieved the largest suitcase you owned from your closet and began packing. You packed nearly every article of clothing you could until it was bursting at the seams. You used the front pockets for shoes.

With everything ready to go, you took a last look at your house, got in the car, and left. 

You were going to Kiev, but you had some stops to make along the way. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Alec threw open the door to his apartment, turned on the lights, and threw his jacket across the room. 

He’d get it later. Or not. 

In all honesty, Alec thought life after Stranger Things was going to be better. He thought fame would only make him more popular, more liked by all. To his dismay, the people didn’t like him in the way he thought they would. 

For instance, the date he had just come back from was a total bust. The girl was nice enough. Pretty. But she wasn’t interested in Alec. She was interested in Alexei. An actor. She did not see Alec as a human, but as a signal to the vicinity of fame and fortune. She had been shallow. When she spoke of herself, it sounded more like a sales pitch than an introduction. She told Alec to text her later. While it would have been a nice gesture, he decided not to as to not give her the wrong idea. 

Ever since he played Alexei, every single date has gone on like this. Girls lined up for miles to catch a date with him, but he felt more like a tourist attraction than a well-liked human being. He was a collection of rare attributes, or a shiny ring that all of the men and women on the Merry-go-round wanted to touch or even get close to so they could tell their other friends about it. 

Alec walked to one of the windows of his apartment that gave him a beautiful view of the city at night. 

Maybe it was London?

He thought about it. London was becoming incredibly crowded for his taste. Not that it wasn’t crowded before, but recently he felt as if everyone had to be close to him. Perhaps going out less and laying under the radar would make things more tolerable when he came back. 

He wandered over to his piano and tried playing something new. 

That was another problem. Ever since people  started treating him the way they were, he couldn’t gather his thoughts and concentrate. Every time he tried to write, including this time, his hands would tangle themselves in each other or splay themselves out on the keyboard awkwardly like a newborn deer. He sounded about as good as that baby deer would sound if it had been at the bench. He got up. 

He looked at the London sky again. 

Maybe it was time for a change of scenery. Somewhere that wouldn’t suffocate him and allow him to bloom artistically as he had been able to do before. 

Bloom. He thought of the botanical gardens that bloomed around this time every year in Kiev. How gorgeous and open the city was. In the moment, it seemed like the answer to all of his problems. 

He had family in Kiev. Perhaps it was time he made a visit. 

Alec picked his jacket back up and hung it before heading to bed, already planning in his head what he would do on his impromptu trip to Kiev. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Before you got to the airport,  you made a stop at the bank to deposit your money and to move all of your savings into your checking account. Seth always told you that keeping savings was a good idea, but you couldn’t be bothered to listen to him right now. 

You stopped at a Starbucks and got a large cup of something awful, but you didn’t care. Taste meant nothing to you as you drafted your message to Seth. 

“get an uber home. I need some time to myself. The car will be at the airport parking lot. I’ll be back in a week.”

After that, you used the Starbucks wifi to get online and book your ticket to Kiev. 

And with that, you headed to the airport.  

(A/N Thanks for reading the first chapter! This was very cathartic to write (again) and I’m really pumped for the rest of it! Have a great day folks!)

[imagines-by-a-typical-fangirl]

The One I've Been Waiting For {Part 12 of 13}

Word count: 2 K

Summary: Billy Hargrove is just one of the many students you're supposed to help. The last thing you expect from your interaction is that he'll start flirtt with you... Much less that Billy would stir up feelings you'd rather keep hidden. Despite the mutual sentiments that soon enough start to grow, there are a lot of reasons for whatever it is to be left alone, and one of them is your age...

{Stranger Things Masterlist}

A/N: In this story, reader is 5 years older than Billy, who's 18.

•••

The Journey Ahead

 You look like three kids, caught red-handed doing something wrong. But you're not kids, and this man isn't going to lecture you. He's just mad at Billy, for no reason. And probably mad at you too.

 Billy is quick to pull you, hiding you behind his shoulder.

 “Do I need to repeat myself?” Neil barks, stepping forward. “I told you I don't want your sluts under my roof!”

 “She's not a slut.” Billy yells back, and you hold his arm.

 “B, don't.” You whisper in his ear.

 Neil suddenly laughs, a dirty, disturbing noise. “I know you, little girl.” He says, a finger pointing at you. “You came here disguised as a teacher to Maxine.” He giggles. “What were you teaching Billy, huh? How to properly screw a girl? Because I need no lessons about that.”

 Billy doesn't say anything, he just moves.

 The next thing you know is that he's onto Neil, throwing a punch on his jaw that makes him fall back. But the asshole stands back up, and that's when the fight begins.

 Your eyes can barely follow the commotion. All you know is that Billy gets hit as much as he hits his father back. “Billy, please, stop!” Susan yells, and you give her a hard look.

 You have nothing against her, but right now, seeing as she seems to worry more about Neil, the cheater, who beats up his son, snaps a button on you. So you walk over to her, slapping her hard in the face. Her head jerks to the side, hair flipping violently. “You're an imbecile for marrying this man!” You shout, tears staining your cheeks.

 Turning your attention back to the two men, you know you have to intervene. But you'll probably just get hurt, and distract Billy, making him get hurt as well. You just want to leave this place, you just want to go home. Take Billy home, away from this constant nightmare he lives in. “Billy, please.” You beg, wiping some tears away. “Let's go.”

 “You're damn right!” Neil grunts, giving Billy a hard push, and making him step away. “I want you out of this damn house.” He barks, making his way inside. Billy follows him, and so do you, trying to reach him. But he's too fast, but you understand what Neil means when you get to Billy's bedroom. That devil is pulling all of Billy's stuff off his wardrobe and drawers, making a huge mess. “I want you out! I'm done with you and your filthy cunts!” As Neil screams, you look at Billy.

 He's frozen, eyes on the clothes scattered around. It doesn't even look like he's breathing. Then, you know exactly what to do. There's no doubt, no second thoughts. Billy is getting out of this house right now.

 Without saying anything, you go for his bed, pulling the two pieces of baggage he has underneath, and putting them on the bed. He's already looking at you when you glance at him, utterly confused. “Pack your things.” You tell him, your voice barely being heard above all the insults Neil is vomiting.

 But Billy understands, and, hesitantly at first, he joins you, taking all of his stuff and shoving them inside the baggage.

 Then, whatever Neil says doesn't matter. He's still yelling, but it doesn't matter. Nothing else matters but the fact that you're both going home.

 After he rushes to the bathroom to get his things, you're both off, quickly leaving the house under Neil's insults.

 “Wait!” Someone calls, and you both look over your shoulders. Max comes walking fast with pieces of baggage of herself, her mother right behind her. “Please, I can't stay here anymore.”

 Billy looks at you, and you simply nod. “C'mon.”

 She doesn't take half a second to move. “Maxine, please.” Susan cries as you put everything in the trunk. “We can fix it. We can-”

 “No, we can't. I don't wanna live in this hell anymore.” Max mutters as she gets into the back seat. Then, both you and Billy get inside the car, and he drives away.

°°°

 You were still in Hawkins, but it felt like Billy was in California already. The moment you got home, as you helped him settle down, giving him some space among your things, you felt he was much lighter. You could see it in his eyes, on his posture, that a burden has been lifted.

 And even more, as the days pass by.

 The news got out fast, and people started talking. But you don't care.

 The only important thing now is that Billy is happy. And so is Max, because she's been living with you, ever since that day. Susan comes to visit her, and you have nothing against it. Neil is the one you'd have kicked out if he ever dared to come here. But Susan is ok, you don't enjoy her presence very much, but you manage to be kind. She wants Maxine to go back home, but the girl refuses.

 As Summer draws near, you start making more solid plans. The transferring papers are settled, and next semester will be at the University of California. Billy's final exams are coming, and you've been helping him get the best grades possible. But he's not as restless now about going to California, but he still can't stop talking about it. And you're excited too. It'll be something new, something adventurous. And you want to do this, maybe as bad as he wants it.

°°°

 Billy has the map on the kitchen table, the road he'll use to get from Hawkins to California highlighted with a red marker. He could do it in one go, but he doesn't want to make her anxious. So he'll drive around eight hours every day and stop for the night.

 “There are several hotels on the way there, so we won't have problems with finding places to crash.” He says as (Y/N) bends over the map, eyes following the red line.

 “It's a long way.” She says, a finger above California. “I never did anything like that. It'll be fun.” She looks up at him and smiles, the smile that always melts his heart, every single time.

 “It sure will.” Billy walks over to her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her into his chest. “But if you think it's too much to spend all that time on the road you can go by plane and we'll meet there.” Billy wants to make sure she's comfortable, he knows how anxious she can get.

 “No, baby. I wanna go with you. I'll be fine.” (Y/N) holds the collar of his shirt, those kind eyes locked on his. “I feel safe with you behind the wheel and we'll take turns so we won't get too tired.”

 Knowing she trusts him with a car, despite his reputation of driving like crazy, makes him smile. When she's with him, Billy keeps it safe, always under the speed limit. “Alright. But if you feel anxious or restless tell me and we'll make a pause.”

 “Alright.” She says, mirroring his tone before tiptoeing to kiss him.

 “Hey, lovebirds. I need to talk to you.” Maxine says, making Billy a little annoyed. But despite the sassy nickname, her tone is weird, and that makes him look at her a little worried. It's funny how (Y/N) changed him even regarding his step-sister. Billy doesn't treat her like shit anymore and even calls her sister now because that's how he feels. (Y/N) made him see things better, and she healed him. And he loves her for that.

 She makes him feel loved. And everything he wants is to feel her feel the same way.

 °°°

 “What's going on?” Billy asks, folding the map as you sit down, across from Max. His tone is still a little harsh, but you know now that it's just because he's worried and wants to know what's wrong already.

 “School is almost over. And you're both going to California.” She starts, and you nod. “So. I wanna go.”

 “What?” Billy exclaims, sitting down next to you.

 “Wait. Let's take it slow.” You speak, touching his shoulder. “If you wanna spend the Summer with us, that's fine.”

 “No.” She shakes her head, looking down at her folded hands before raising her eyes at you. “I wanna go back. For good.”

 “Why?” Billy cuts in again. “What happened to make you want to go?”

 “I don't wanna stay here with those two, ok?” She raises her voice.

 “The two of you will calm the hell down, alright?” You raise your voice as well, gesturing at them. “Billy, shut up for a moment. Maxine–” You stand up, walk around the table, and sit next to her. “–Going back to California isn't that simple. You'll have to leave your friends behind. And on top of that, we can't just take you, that would be kidnapping and I'm sure Neil would go to the police the moment we cross the town's limits.”

 “I know.” She sighs. “I don't wanna leave the guys. I don't wanna leave Lucas, but I thought about it, all the pros and cons... Of course, I'll come to visit them and they'll visit me too.” Max sounds like she has everything figured out. But still, you can't just take her. That's not how the world works.

 “That's great, but still we can't just–”

 “You can if you have a document. One that makes you guys my... Legal Guardian.” She burst out, smiling. “Crazy shit, I know. But I did some research and it's possible.” She stands up, running somewhere, and you're left alone with a wide-eyed Billy.

 “I never, ever, not in a million years–”

 “Thought you'd be on the verge of being a dad without even having to wait nine months?” You tell him, running a hand through your hair. “That's huge.”

 “Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to drag Maxine into this. The plans we made were about the two of us but I can't just tell her to–”

 “That's not the problem.” You say taking his hand. “I love Maxine, she feels like family. I just can't do things the wrong way because–”

 “Here. I wrote it all down.” She comes back, placing a notebook before you on the table. “Hopper can make the process move a lot faster, of course. Billy and I aren't blood-related, but he can count as a guardian, we just need Susan to agree with it. That's the hard part.” She speaks fast, showing and pointing out everything she wrote down. Laws and all the papers needed. “I know it's crazy. But I wanna go home too. And staying here with Mom and Neil it's just... I can't.”

 Sighing, you nod. Looking at Billy, he looks sad and nods as well. “You deserve better than living with someone like Neil. And Susan, well...”

 “Susan is an idiot. She takes all that shit I have no idea why.” Max says, putting her hair behind her ears. “Look, you don't even have to look after me that much. I'll go to school, do the homework, and get good grades. I just need a place, guys.”

 “You really think that's the problem? Maxine, I love having you here. And we would look after you not because we feel like we have to, but because we're family. I'm just worried that you'll leave your mother. That's huge, you have to be sure about it.”

 “I am. I haven't spoken to Susan yet, but I will. I'll promise to visit and all that. But staying here... I can't.” She walks over to her brother, taking a deep breath. “I always wanted to go back as bad as you, Billy. So please, don't leave me here. Not now that you're not acting like a jerk most of the time, not now that you have a nice girlfriend, and that I got to live in a real home. You can't do this to me.”

 You can see that Billy breaks a little, not sure of what to do. You wait for some comment or something like that. But instead, he takes her hand, a little messily at first, shaking it. “If Susan doesn't make a drama about it, and if (Y/N) agrees with forcibly having a kid out of the blue... I'm fine with it.”

 She immediately looks at you, and with a smile, you stand up, walk over to her, and pull the girl into a hug. “I'd love to have you with us.”

 “Thanks.” She mumbles, pulling away to look up at you. “Now I just need help to talk to Susan.”

 “Nope. That's something you have to do on your own.” Billy says, and you nod. “Say what you have to say, that she will be free to visit you, that you'll visit her. Things like that.”

 “What if she says no?”

 “Just tell her she won't ever stop being your mom. That you'll just be living away and the papers are just a formality so nobody will get arrested.” You say, hands on her shoulders. “She's coming later tonight. Billy and I will grab some pizza so you'll have some time alone.”

 “Ok. Thanks again.” She turns at Billy. “You too, shitface. (Y/N) made a boyfriend out of you. And a brother.”

 “I'm not even gonna answer you.” He rolls his eyes and you can't help but smile.

 Later that night, it goes as planned. You took twice the normal time to get the pizzas, just to make sure you won't interrupt anything. And when you get there, you find a crying Susan, being held by Maxine. Excusing yourselves, you both go to the kitchen and wait. It takes half an hour for them to join you.

 Then, Susan let you know that she's not happy about it. That she doesn't want to be away from her daughter. But, if Maxine's happiness means signing papers and letting her go, as long as she's being looked after and as long as she's free to visit, it's alright. And, Maxine has to spend at least some Holidays with her, and the girl agrees.

 It's a tense dinner, but after Susan leaves, Maxine can't stop smiling.

 After that, time starts passing by slowly. But eventually, the days start getting warmer, and the marks on the calendar take over. Until the day finally comes.

 The kids, as well as your friends, spent the whole weekend at your place, on a never-ending sleepover. Max made plans with the party, and, as tough as it may be, you'll make it happen. Distance won't ruin their friendship, you'll make sure of that.

 And, on Monday morning, there's a small crowd at the town's limit, right under the sign of “Leaving Hawkins.” There are lots of hugs and tears, but also a different feeling. You're about to make something huge, something you never thought you'd ever do. And it feels amazing. A bit scary, but amazing.

 After the goodbyes, the three of you hit the road, with Billy behind the wheel. The shine in his eyes is indescribable. He's free, he finally did it. He left Neil behind, and this small town he hates so much. He's going home.

 And so are you. Because you know that your home is wherever he is.

•••

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