Chapter Text
Ever since Max saw Eleven storm in that first time, her true sexuality began to to show itself. Eleven was one of the most beautiful girls she had ever seen; her dark earth brown eyes were always full of curiosity, her soft pale skin as fair as the moon.
The boys were always talking about Eleven, and how she had saved Hawkins from the Demogorgon last year with her amazing powers. She seemed like an intriguing girl, and Max couldn’t wait until she finally got the chance to meet her.
But Max knew it wasn’t right. Homosexuality was a crime to be punished in such a small town, and she couldn’t risk it. Her family had moved all the way from California to Indiana, desperate for a fresh start, and revealing her true identity would cast her into a life of shame, trauma, and fear.
But at the same time, her heart yearned for just even a second spent with Eleven. She knew that Eleven would probably never want her, and she knew that the two of them hadn’t exactly been friends, but she also knew that people change over time.
However, it was too late to back off, to change her mind. Her heart hammered in her chest as she tapped on Eleven’s shoulder, praying that this wouldn’t end badly.
Eleven turned her back, surprised and angry to see Max behind her. “What?” she snapped. Why was Max here?
“I need to talk to you,” Max said, her palms sweaty. Eleven sighed. If this was an apology, she didn’t want to hear Max’s lame excuse. But if it was something else, she would take the chance.
“Fine,” she spat, crossing her arms. “I’m waiting.”
Max bit her lip, but smiled softly, nerves shaking her. She looked around, before finally saying, “Follow me.”
Max walked casually over to the forest, making sure that nobody would suspect anything. Eleven followed, wanting to get this over with.
Finally, they were surrounded by thick trees. It was darker in the forest than in the streetlight-illuminated arcade parking lot. Max swallowed the lump in her throat, before finally gathering up the courage to speak.
“Have you ever liked a girl?” Max asked, as she shuffled nervously from foot to foot. Eleven crossed her eyebrows, confused.
“Yes,” she finally replied. Max sighed with relief. “Who?” she asked.
Eleven answered quickly, and without hesitance. “Nancy. She’s my best friend.”
Max’s heart dropped. Eleven didn’t know what Max meant. “No. Uh, romantically, as in more than a friend.”
Eleven hummed her affirmative, comprehending the question. “As in how I liked Mike?” she questioned. Max pursed her lips and nodded.
Eleven gazed off into the distance, thinking. There was never a time where it occurred to her that you even could like the same gender as more than a friend.
“No,” Eleven said as she shook her head. Max could feel the tears that were starting to form from the corner of her eyes. How was she supposed to tell Eleven now?
Then, without warning, Max grabbed Eleven’s cold hand.
Eleven’s chest started to heave, and her eyebrows were now furrowed slightly. “What are you doing?” she asked, sweat starting to form on her forehead.
Max took a few deep breaths.
“I like you, Eleven. As more than a friend.” Max said quietly, staring into Eleven’s eyes. Max could feel her heart drumming her chest.
Eleven stared at Max. This wasn’t happening. It couldn’t be happening. This wasn’t possible.
Max stood closer to Eleven, leaning her head closer. Their lips were so close. Max could almost feel Eleven’s lips on hers.
Then, the most miraculous thing happened.
Eleven pulled Max in, placing her own lips on hers. Max jolted at the surprise, until calming down, realizing what had just occurred.
Max closed her eyes, deciding what to do next. She didn’t want this kiss to be awkward, or just plain uncomfortable. But she didn’t want it to be boring, either.
She slipped her tongue into Eleven’s mouth, trying to be extremely gentle. She flicked it, exploring, searching, until Eleven’s tongue met hers.
Oh god! Max thought to herself, a hot blush colouring her cheeks. This is really happening!
The two girls stood there in the woods, pressed together, enjoying this moment together. Eleven had never kissed a girl, but she seemed to know what she was doing.
Max grabbed Eleven’s waist, Eleven caressing Max’s cheek softly. Please, never let this end.
Max was on cloud nine. This is what she had dreamed of doing, and it was finally coming true.
Eleven, too, heavily enjoyed this. Kissing a girl was different than kissing a boy in some way. Mike was always too nervous to make a move, so it was always just a light peck on the mouth.
But with Max? It was so much more.
Maybe it was just the way Max kissed, or maybe it was something else. Whatever it was, it was amazing.
Suddenly, footsteps could be heard. The two girls stopped, thinking someone would catch them at their kissing.
Eleven looked at Max in fear. Max swallowed, her arm still around Eleven’s waist. The sound became louder, filling the air with suspense.
Suddenly, a flashlight pierced the gloom. “Hello?” a familiar voice called, “Is anyone there? Kids?” A pause. “Demons?” Hopper’s face peered around a tree.
Eleven recognized the voice immediately. Her heart started to race.
Hopper’s eyes squinted as they took in the sight before him. “Jane?!” he spluttered, “Max? What in the effing - never mind.” He stopped and pressed two fingers to his forehead.
Max let go of Eleven’s waist, head bowed, cheeks bright pink. Eleven started twiddling her thumbs nervously, alone and separated from Max.
Hopper looked down at his feet with a long-suffering sigh, rubbing his temples with his index fingers. “Listen, kids.” he mumbled, not glancing at the two. He looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. “I’m not judging you, but you can’t be seen like this. People, especially adults, will think you’re a couple of Satan-worshippers. This is a small town.”
Finally, Max spoke, voice trembling slightly. “That’s why we came here, into the woods.” she said, eyes fixed on Eleven.
Eleven nodded. “We thought no one would find us here.” Eleven near-whispered, one hand gripping the other arm tightly. This had been better when Max’s mouth was on hers.
Hopper sniffed, clearing his throat afterwards. “I think you kids had better go see Nancy. She’s probably the best person to see. You know, with her ‘girl talk’ and stuff. Fem - isnim. Femle - nism. Something.”
Both girls looked mildly surprised and heavily embarrassed.
Max shrugged, kicking gravel around. “I don’t really know her, you know, personally. I’ve heard of her, though.”
Eleven’s eyes lit up. “Really?” she asked. “I thought everyone knew Nancy. She’s so nice.”
Sighing, Hopper tilted his head towards the ground. “Well, this has been extremely awkward.” Both girls said nothing, their eyes fixated on each other.
Hopper quickly shuffled off into the distance, soon hidden from sight.
Max looked away from Eleven’s gaze. Her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.
“Look,” Max began, taking Eleven’s soft, frail hand into hers. “I never meant for this - for any of this to happen.” Eleven shook her head in disbelief, crossing her arms.
Max continued, a tear or five dripping down her cheeks. “Please, believe me. Trust me.” She brushed a few strands of Eleven’s hair away from her eyes. “I never meant to take Mike away from you,” she went on, her voice on the verge of breaking. Eleven scoffed. Mike was the one thing she had. Mike meant the world to her, and Max had thrown that away.
“It sounds ridiculous, I know. I knew that you and Mike were together, and I didn’t want to ruin your relationship,” she kept going. “You two had a connection that was so meaningful, and so... pure.”
Eleven was beginning to cry, too. Mike had been there for her when no one else was. He was the one taking care of her in his basement, giving her food, water, and clothing, but most of all, a sense of love, something that Eleven had never felt before.
“Lucas and I…” Max began. “I knew that we could never have that sort of bond. He’s amazing, no doubt, but I wanted somebody that could heal my scars, the way that Mike healed yours.”
Eleven shook her head in confusion. “Scars?”
Max nodded. “You’re not the only one who’s hurt inside, Eleven. In a way, we’re both the same.”
Eleven took Max into her arms, the two of them standing there, sobbing. It seemed like they stood there for hours, but it was only a short while.