Bound By Shadows 3 | Will Byers x Reader (Fem)

~ 2 ~

"But like... also?" I added, "our lives would be so boring if we were normal. Can you imagine?"

Max groaned, dropping onto her back on the bed.

"Ugh. Math homework. Soccer practice. Getting dropped off by your mom in a station wagon. No thanks."

I snorted. "Exactly. And like... who else is gonna save the world if it wasn't us?"

"Right?" She turned her head toward me, eyes wide and mock-serious. "It's a public service. You're welcome, Hawkins."

I laughed, staring up at the blades of the fan slicing lazy shadows across the ceiling. "We deserve badges."

"Or free food for life."

A pause stretched between us, not awkward — just warm. Then she smirked.

"Sooo..."

I groaned instantly. "Oh no."

"Oh yes," Max said, rolling onto her side to face me. "We're talking about it."

"Max, come on—"

"You started it." She cut me off, grinning. "You said we're not normal. And you" she poked my arm, "have a world-ending crush on Will—"

I covered my face with a pillow. "It's not—"

"— which is fine," she steamrolled over me, "by the way. Except it's been, what? Seven months since the kiss?"

I whipped the pillow at her. "We don't talk about that!"

"WE DO NOW!" She shouted, chucking it back harder.

It hit me square in the face. I groaned, letting it fall into my lap. "I just don't get it. I thought he liked me. I know he does. But he's acting so—so—"

"So Will about it?" Max offered.

"Exactly!" I dragged a hand down my face. "Useless at flirting. Useless at... anything even slightly confrontational. Especially feelings."

Max grinned wickedly. "You know what it is? He's terrified you'll actually burst into flames if he touches you."

I narrowed my eyes. "That happened one time."

"And it was terrifying." She said flatly.

I laughed, then climbed onto the bed beside her, flopping onto my stomach. 

"Maybe I should just do it."

Max raised an eyebrow "Do what?"

"Make... the move?"

Max sat up like I'd just told her I'd joined a cult. "Bold. But seriously? He's the guy. That's like... his job."

"I know. I'm not actually gonna do it." I muttered into the pillow.

"Good. Because if you did, he'd probably faint or something."

I peeked out from under the pillow. "Right? He'd probably have a nosebleed or combust into flames—"

"That's your thing, pyromaniac." Max snorted

I rolled my eyes, but the smile crept in anyway.

After a beat, she nudged me with her knee. "Seriously though... he's lucky. You're kind of the coolest person ever."

I groaned. "Your just saying that because you want me to shift into Ralph Macchio again."

Max gasped. "Oh my god, yes. Do it right now"

******

~Third person POV ~