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

~ 13 ~

We had actually managed to sneak into Dustin's house — no easy feat considering his place has more booby traps than a Scooby-Doo set.

There were at least two tin-can alarms by the fence and some kind of wire contraption by the back screen door. But after Will spotted the wire, and Max successfully climbed the porch railing, we were in. Quiet. Focused.

No one had burst into giggles yet. Progress.

We waited just behind the narrow hallway that led into the living room — pressed up against the brick wall like criminals on a mission. The lights were dim, a beam of soft afternoon sun hitting the side of a bookshelf.

One wrong move and Dustin would definitely hear us. Every creak in this house felt like it echoed down to the bones.

Eleven was here today too — finally. After weeks of keeping her distance.

She stood just ahead of me, posture straight, expression laser-focused. We shared a look. We had one goal.

Scare the absolute shit out of Dustin.

Everyone was in place. I could feel Will beside me — his hand slipped into mine, a quiet, familiar comfort.

His grip was warm and slightly clammy from nerves, but it steadied me.

I leaned the side of my head against his shoulder for the briefest second before closing my eyes.
Max gave me a sharp nod. The signal.

I let the air leave my lungs and focused, tugging at the familiar pull deep inside my chest. Fire would've been too obvious, too dangerous.

So instead, I let the shape take over, bones and skin folding into something else — something Dustin would absolutely believe. 

My body stretched, elongated, and a shimmer of scales rippled across me.

When I blinked my eyes open again, I wasn't me anymore.

A dragon. Not a huge one — small enough to fit in the living room, but big enough to look real. Wings tucked at my sides, tail curling behind me, my eyes glowing faint red like hot coals.

Max mouthed a silent "yes" trying not to laugh, before ducking back into position.

I padded quietly into the living room, claws clicking faintly on the hardwood. 

Dustin was crouched at the floor, staring at the robots El had moved to lure him to the living room. His head shot up at the sound, and when he turned, his mouth fell open.

"What the... holy shit."

I let out a low growl, circling him slowly, keeping his back turned toward the hallway.

My tail flicked deliberately, knocking a stack of books off a chair. His eyes followed every movement, wide and unblinking, like he couldn't decide if he was terrified or fascinated.

He muttered to himself under his breath — "no way, no way, this is real" — but he didn't run. Classic Dustin.

Behind him, the others crept silently into the room, horns clutched in hand.

Lucas had the giant "WELCOME HOME" poster raised like a shield.
I flicked my head, letting smoke curl from my nostrils, and stepped just enough to keep Dustin's back turned. Perfect distraction.

Max, party popper in mouth, finger-counting.
3...
2...
1...

I shifted in a flash of heat and color, scales folding back into skin, tail dissolving into nothing. I straightened into myself again, lips curling into a grin just as we all shouted together: