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strangeswift · 9 months

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happy birthday to my best friend in the world, @elekinetic. pretend i finished this on time 🫶

Nancy Wheeler doesn't like hospitals.

There’s death and disease around every corner, it's always freezing cold, and the fluorescent lights give her a headache.

Plus, the vending machines always eat her quarters.

Most people don’t like hospitals, she knows that. But most people haven’t been chased through the sterile halls by a creature made of exploded human corpses, so Nancy likes to think she has an exceptionally good reason.

It’s that memory that haunts her now. It follows her down the brightly lit hospital corridor and makes her heart race as she walks a little faster, casting cursory glances over her shoulder. With every glance, she's half expecting to see a large mass of flesh and jagged bones gaining on her, leaving a trail of blood in its wake, staining the pristine white tile.

There’s nothing there, nothing but the memory, but she feels the bile rise in her throat anyway.

She focuses her attention on the numbers on the doorframes as she passes – 242, 244, 246.

248 - Maxine Mayfield.

She pauses outside the open door, taking in the sight. Bracing herself, maybe.

Max is almost alarmingly pale, though the dark circles under her eyes have cleared, making her look a little less sick and frail. Her arms lay at her sides, the casts having been recently removed. She wears a white hospital gown.

Max Mayfield has always looked like a sad kid, from the time she first moved to Hawkins – but seeing her like this is something entirely different. Laid up in a hospital bed, staring blankly ahead, her irises a milky blue color that betray her lack of vision. She looks helpless. Broken.

As shitty as it sounds, it’s hard to look at her. She’s just a kid – a kid that Nancy should have protected, but instead sent her to die. And she did. She died.

You’re just a kid, a voice that sounds something like Nancy’s mom tells her. But it's not true. It hasn’t been true for a long time.

“Who is it?” Max calls, in the vague direction of the door, “You’re supposed to announce yourself.”

She sounds frustrated, like it's a rule she’s reiterated several times before. It’s understandable, wanting some level of control.

Nancy clears her throat. “It’s Nancy.”

The scowl drops from Max’s face. “Sorry,” she says hurriedly, “I thought you were Mike.”

Nancy blinks. “You thought I was Mike? Why?”

“Your footsteps,” Max explains, “They sound like his.”

Nancy remembers having her mom and dad’s footsteps memorized, always listening for them during late night phone calls. Her mom’s were delicate and quick, while her dad’s were heavy and sluggish. She imagines having to experience the world that way, listening to the cadence of footsteps.

She steps into the room, acutely aware of the sound of her feet on the tile. “Can I sit?” she asks, resting her hand on the back of the chair next to Max’s bed, waiting for permission.

“Yeah,” Max says, granting it.

Nancy sits on the edge of the seat, her posture perfectly straight. She's stiff, she knows. Hopefully Max can't tell.

“How are you feeling?” she asks.

“Shitty,” Max answers, “and blind," she adds.

Nancy grimaces and gives a nod of acknowledgment before she remembers that Max can't see it.

“Sorry,” Max says, to fill the silence, “I’m just– I’m fine.”

“You don’t have to be fine,” Nancy says, shaking her head.

Max sighs deeply. "I know that."

She's heard it before, clearly.

“Everyone misses you,” Nancy tries, “Lucas and the boys, and Eleven.”

“El,” Max corrects automatically.

“Right. El,” Nancy amends.

Since Max woke up —since El got her back, that is— everyone's been taking turns visiting, so she's almost never alone, unless she asks for it. While Max was out, Lucas practically lived in her hospital room. He's moved back into the Sinclair house now, though he still visits twice a day. Nancy thinks he'd still be at the hospital all day if Max let him.

"Can I ask you something?" Max asks suddenly.

"Yeah," Nancy answers, "Yeah, of course."

Max pauses for a moment. "Vecna, and the monsters, and just– all this Upside Down shit we've dealt with," she says, "I've never seen you back down. From any of it. I've never seen you hesitate for a second. You just grab a gun and blow their heads off. I mean, you're like a total badass. It’s like– Like you're not afraid of anything."

Nancy shakes her head, a surprised smile creeping onto her face. "Was there a question somewhere in there?"

Max exhales sharply through her nose. "How do you do it?"

Nancy sees the way Max looks at her, almost reverent. And it's a little silly, she thinks, until she considers herself from an outside perspective. She thinks of herself at fourteen, the quiet girl who kept her head down and had just one friend. The girl who everyone thought was a priss. If that girl had seen her older self, feet planted firmly to the ground, firing shots into a demogorgon's gaping mouth as it roared, she thinks she'd probably be a little awestruck too.

Nancy remembers the first time she shot a gun. Standing in a field next to Jonathan Byers, gaze locked on a beer can, spurred on by the knowledge that her parents would disapprove. She remembers feeling like she was outside of herself, watching this girl who looked like her and felt like her but couldn't possibly be her, because this girl wielded a deadly weapon with measured confidence.

When she stops to really think about it —something she hasn't had the time or energy to do in years, constantly in survival mode— she almost doesn't know how she does it.

But the girl who fell through a tree into another world, who trembled and cried out for a boy she hardly knew, was not fearless. The girl who watched Will Byers, her little brother's sweet best friend grip his mother by the throat was not fearless. The girl who looked Henry Creel in the eye was not fearless.

Nancy Wheeler is not, and has never been, fearless.

Max fidgets, noting Nancy's lack of response. "I hate the way he was able to control me," she admits.

There's no question as to which he Max is referring to.

"When– If he comes for me again–"

"We won’t let him," Nancy interjects, her gaze fierce enough that she wonders if Max can feel it.

"We both know," Max says carefully, "that neither of us can stop that from happening."

“Okay," Nancy allows, "you’re right.”

"If he tries to get in my head again," Max says, "I want to be ready this time."

"It's not something you can be ready for," Nancy responds.

Max's face scrunches up, and Nancy can almost hear that's easy for you to say.

So she takes a different approach.

"When he got to me," she says carefully, "he showed me things." She pauses, takes a breath. "Do you know about Barb?"

"Like– a little," Max says with a shrug.

"She was my best friend," Nancy says, "My only friend, actually. And the demogorgon took her. He took her, I mean, just like he took Will. Only, she died in the Upside Down. Scared and alone."

She recounts Barb's death with a flat affect, like an investigator listing the facts of a case, the way she's heard Hopper or Murray do. She's thought about it so many times she almost feels numb, but in the icy, pins and needles kind of way.

"We were at Steve's that night," she continues, "and Barb wanted to leave. She wanted to leave and I– I told her to go without me, because I wanted to go upstairs with Steve."

She pauses. Max doesn't react.

"That was the last time I ever saw her. Until Henry– he showed her to me, and she was–" Her voice breaks, she takes a breath.

Do you remember what you did, Nancy? Or have you already forgotten?

That's how she knows he was taunting her. He can see her thoughts, and her memories, and so he knows. He knows she didn't forget. He knows it hangs over her like a dark cloud and casts a shadow over everything good in her life.

When I kill someone, I never forget.

"It was awful," she says quietly, "and it paralyzed me. There was nothing I could have done, because that's what he does. He uses your weaknesses against you."

Max closes her eyes, tilting her head back for a moment.

"It was Billy," Max says, opening her eyes, "He showed me Billy."

Immediately, Nancy knows that Henry taunted Max in the same way he did her.

"You couldn't have saved Billy," she says.

"Maybe not. But I could have tried," Max says bitterly.

"You would have died trying," Nancy argues.

"I used to wish he was dead," Max says bluntly.

Nancy's protests die on her tongue, caught off guard for a second.

"Before Starcourt," Max explains, "Before everything. I hated him."

"Max," Nancy says gently, "Billy was–"

"He was an asshole, I know," Max finishes, "A real fucking asshole. That doesn't make it okay."

Nancy shrugs. "I don't know, I think I've wished my dad would drop dead a few times before, and the only thing he ever did to me was not give a shit."

Max's eyes widen and she lets out a startled laugh. Nancy can't help but smile as she watches the tension leave her face. But it comes back just as quickly.

"He wasn't a good person," Max says, "and he sure as hell wasn't a good brother, but–" she takes a breath, "I wanted him to be. So badly. And just– now he never will, I guess."

Nancy thinks, for a moment, of Mike. She wonders if he's ever wished for her to just be an older sister. It's not the same, obviously. She's not Billy, not some abusive creep. But she's not Jonathan either. Mike isn't at the center of her life the way Will is for Jonathan. He's never needed her to prioritize him that way. At least, it didn't seem like he did.

"Whatever, it's stupid," Max finally says.

"It's not stupid," Nancy responds immediately.

Max reminds Nancy a lot of Mike. High strung, short tempered, a habit of pushing people away. But things are different with Max. Easier. There's no guilt that lies just below the surface, that builds and builds until it feels almost insurmountable, so you keep it buried.

And really, how is she supposed to talk to Mike when she's pretty clearly the last person he wants to talk to? She feels powerless with him. She feels powerless all of the time now. Her brother just got dumped by his girlfriend and he refuses to talk to anyone about it, her own relationship with Jonathan feels destined to fail, Steve Harrignton is making plans concerning her that she definitely had no say in–

Oh, and the world is ending.

There's nothing she can do to make any of it better, because she's not a great sister, or an exceptional girlfriend, or some kind of hero. She's not even the person Max Mayfield thinks she is, she's just–

She's just Nancy.

But she can talk to Max. Max is hurting and she needs someone, and Nancy can talk to her.

Max's eyes are glassy now, tears threatening to spill over.

“Hey,” Nancy says gently, “It's not stupid, okay?”

Max nods and takes a shaky breath. “Okay.”

#HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLA KINETIC #nancy wheeler #max mayfield #stranger things #ficlet #idk that's enough tags ok bye 🫶

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cerealmonster15 · 4 months

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Kalim and the Great Relationship Rescue [Twst] [Kalisil + Jamiazu]

[Ao3 Link]

Chapter: 1/?

Word count: 1165

Summary: Kalim makes it his mission to help Jamil fix his relationship with Azul - even though Jamil never asked for his help in the first place. He enlists the aid of his trusted friend and classmate, Silver, as well as their fellow schoolmates, to ensure success. After all, the chilling tension between Jamil and Azul is really throwing off everyone else's mood, so something has GOT to change, and fast. Surely the power of persistent friendship and the minds of several devious teenagers coming together can lead them to success… Right?

“Hey, Floyd! You guys have a basketball game tonight, right?”

“Sure do! Why? Don’t tell me Sea Snakey forgot to tell ya?”

Silence.

“...Hellooo?” Floyd called through the phone. “Sea Otter? You drop the phone in the toilet or somethin’?”

“No, no, sorry! I’m here… it’s just, uh… I think Jamil’s a bit…”

Kalim paused and looked over at where Jamil was laying in a prone position on the bed, arms wrapped tightly around a pillow, face buried inside, muffling his voice as he let out a frustrated scream.

“...Stressed?”

Kalim could hear Floyd’s amused laughter in response on the other end of the line. “Hey, maybe he’ll make more interesting plays tonight with that kind of energy on the court, hehe…”

Maybe Floyd was right. Maybe basketball would be a good distraction for Jamil right now! It was a physical outlet - and dancing always made both of them feel better, so surely basketball would have a similar effect. Maybe all Jamil needed was to play a really intense game with his supportive teammates, and he’d cheer up.

“Yeah, good point! I look forward to seeing you guys play. Are Jade and Azul comi-?”

Kalim’s question was abruptly cut off by another loud, angry, and strange combination between a sob and a shriek from Jamil against his pillow.

“Oh! Uh,” Kalim moved the phone away from his mouth and frantically turned around. “Sorry, Jamil! I was just asking Floyd about your basketball game tonight. You’re… still going, right?”

Jamil only responded with more muffled screams.

Kalim took that as his cue to leave, quickly hopping up from the edge of the bed and scooting towards the door. “Okay! I’m gonna let you have some alone time, and… Um, I'll come get you when it’s time to go to the game, alright?”

“Just GO!” Jamil shouted, lifting his head just long enough to get those words out before immediately flopping his face back down and resuming his wails of disgruntled anguish.

“Right! Got it! See you later!”

Kalim hurried the rest of the way out of the room and shut the door behind him. He sighed, and put the phone back to his ear.

“Sorry about that, Floyd. Are you still there?”

Floyd, again, responded with laughter.

“Sure am! Sounds like Sea Snakey’s definitely gonna play an interesting game. I’m gettin’ fired up just thinkin’ about it!”

Kalim sighed. “Man, I really hope it helps him feel better… How’s Azul holding up…?”

“Oh, terribly. But what else is new, right?'' Floyd said, though he did not sound particularly concerned about the matter. “I mean, he’s insistin’ it’s fine and all, but he’s an awful liar when it comes to feelings - especially feelings about Sea Snakey. He keeps pretending to be busy and holing himself up in his office, snappin’ at people that bother him too much.”

Kalim made his way down the hall and into his own room, flopping down onto his back on his own bed. “Oh no, really? That’s awful!”

“Ehh, he ain’t actin’ super different from regular cranky Azul, really. Probably most of the Mostro Lounge employees wouldn’t be able to tell the difference when he’s in ‘business mode’ on the clock. Me ‘n Jade see right through him, obviously.”

Kalim sighed and started fidgeting with the corner of one of the many pillows covering his bed. “Well, at least you and Jade are there to support him…”

“Heh, sure.”

A door could be heard opening on Floyd’s end, followed by what sounded like Jade’s voice.

“M’kay, I gotta run, Sea Otter. Jade and I’ll try and pull Azul out of his wallowing to the game tonight, but no promises!”

“Yeah, alright… See you later, Floyd!”

The line clicked and went quiet, and Kalim rolled over on his stomach to open his texts. He scrolled through the long list of conversations he’d had throughout the day, and tapped Silver’s name.

Hi silver! Wanna come to the basketball game w/me later? You can come over 2 my dorm and hang out til then if ur not busy!

Silver texted back a few minutes later.

Okay. I will be there in a few minutes.

Kalim’s face brightened, a feeling of relief washing over him at Silver’s prompt reply. He didn’t know who else would be at the basketball game, but at least he could count on Silver to keep him company in the stands.

Moments after sending the text, Silver arrived at Kalim’s room and took a seat beside him on the edge of the bed.

“I’m so glad you’re here, Silver!” Kalim exclaimed, rolling over to face Silver with a distressed pout. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do about Jamil!”

“Is he still having a hard time with his and Azul’s breakup?” Silver asked, straightforward as ever.

“Yes!” Kalim wailed. “He’s completely miserable, but he doesn’t ever want to talk about it when I bring it up, so I just don’t know what to do to help!”

“Perhaps he needs more time,” Silver lightly suggested. “I imagine heartbreak is not an easy thing to experience. My father often says that ‘time heals all wounds,’ after all.”

“Maybe…” Kalim sat back up and scooted over beside Silver. “I just want to help him feel better sooner, yknow?!”

Silver nodded in silent understanding.

“They were so in love…” Kalim continued. “Jamil smiled more after you all came back from that trip to Fleur City… More than I’d seen him smile in years. And… And I refuse to believe it’s truly over!”

Kalim stood up, followed by a confused Silver.

“What do you mean?”

“I think there’s still hope! And I think they’re still in love!”

Silver tilted his head. “Really? But then why would they break up?”

“I… don’t know!” Kalim sighed, furrowing his eyebrows. “But I do know it has to be a mistake. I think if they just gave each other a chance to talk it out, they’d understand each other better. Then maybe they could make up!”

Kalim headed to the door, Silver following behind.

“I have to find a way to help them. I don’t know how, but… Jamil is my best friend!” He glanced down with a sullen expression and sighed again. “I owe it to him to try and help him find that happiness again…”

Silver nodded again. “That is a noble cause, and really nice of you, Kalim. I’ll help you however I can.”

“Really!?” Kalim halted his stride to turn and face Silver, eyes wide.

“Yes. Jamil and Azul are our friends. I don’t want to stand by and watch our companions suffer if there’s something we can do to lessen their anguish, and you would know better than anyone if there was a way to help Jamil. I trust your judgment.”

Kalim’s face relaxed into relief and delight. “Oh, I’m so glad…Thank you, Silver! I don’t have a plan yet, but I’m sure you and I can figure something out between the two of us!”

Really, how hard could it be?

#twisted wonderland #twst #jamiazu #kalisil #kalim al asim #silver twst #jamil viper #uhh. azuls not in this chapter yet lol #whawtever thats enough tags #cereal writes #AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA ok bye #more info in the ao3 links' notes 🏃

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