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

~ 23 ~

Nancy smoothed her palms down the front of her purple dress, voice hushed but firm. "We'll go up first. Stay here, don't draw attention."

Jonathan nodded, already scanning the hallway for elevators. Together they walked off, the fluorescent lights bleaching their faces pale as they disappeared deeper into the hospital.

We were left in the waiting area, the low buzz of vending machines and the receptionist's murmured phone call filling the quiet.

I sank into one of the plastic chairs, tossing the bouquet to the chair beside me, and pulled my legs up to my chest. My knees pressed against the fabric of my shirt as I turned my body toward Will. He was already watching me, his hands fiddling absently with the edge of his sleeve, his face pale under the harsh lights.

I leaned my head against my knees. "This feels wrong," I admitted quietly.

His eyes softened. "Because we're not with them?"

"Because we don't know what's happening up there." I exhaled through my nose, restless. "And when we don't know... it usually means something bad."

Will tilted his head, a faint, wry smile tugging at his lips. "Always the optimist."

I nudged his arm with my shoulder. "I'm realistic."

"Realistic is just a nicer word for being cynical." His voice was steady, teasing, but his fingers drummed nervously against his knee.

I smirked faintly, hugging my legs tighter. "Says the guy who thought the Mind Flayer was gone for good last year."

He shot me a look — one that was half exasperation, half amusement. "Low blow."

"Accurate, though."

His smile widened, reluctant but real, and the sight of it eased some of the tension crawling under my skin.

For a moment, we just sat like that — the others scattered across the waiting room, the hospital lights buzzing above us, the air thick with anticipation. I could feel the weight of dread pressing in, but sitting next to him, it didn't crush me as much.

He leaned back in his chair, glancing at me sidelong. "You know, if you keep sitting like that, your legs are gonna go numb."

I raised a brow. "Thanks, doc."

"Just saying." His grin twitched. "When you fall over trying to stand, I'm not carrying you."

"Yes, you would," I shot back instantly.

His silence stretched just long enough to make me laugh. He didn't deny it, didn't have to — the faint red creeping up his ears gave him away.

We didn't need to say it aloud, but we both knew: something was going to go wrong.

"You know," I said quietly, leaning just close enough so only he could hear, "I could teleport us up there."

His eyes widened, flicking to me like I'd just suggested robbing a bank. "Y/N..."

"What?" I shrugged, fighting back a grin. "It'd be faster. No waiting. We'd know what's happening instead of sitting here like idiots."

His expression flattened, but I could see the corner of his mouth twitching. "Yeah, and then what? Everyone in the hospital sees you vanish and reappear in thin air? You'd be tested on for life."

I smirked, tilting my head. "You'd break me out."

Will blinked, deadpan. "Y/N, this isn't a movie."

"Still," I teased, nudging his shoulder with mine. "I'd put money on you trying."