Chapter Text
Lucas’ eyes spring wide open as he wakes up in a cold sweat. He reaches up with his left hand and feels around frantically until he finds Max’s hand. She’s sleeping on his bed, and he’s sleeping on the floor next to it. He breathes a sigh of relief and turns over to look out the window, which is still pitch black outside. He glances at his analog clock and sees it’s 4:40 am. Late enough that he most likely won't be able to go back to sleep before he needs to get ready for school at 6.
It’s been 3 months since Max moved in with the Sinclairs after El’s sacrifice, and Lucas still gets nightmares every few nights that Vecna has returned and kidnapped her again. He shuffles around to lay on his stomach, trying his best to find a comfortable position. No one knows it but lately, he’s been dealing with chronic body aches. He thinks the physical toll he’s put his body through the past few years is catching up to him. His mind flashes through an array of memories- Biking 8 miles across town nonstop to warn Dustin about Jason and his friends, his legs and lungs burning excruciatingly after mile 4. He remembers fighting Jason in the attic, god, he felt so small, so scared as he was getting thrown around and punched over and over. He thinks back to when he was bait for a demogorgon, running away to lure it into a trap, having to lunge over 10 feet and slamming into a wall. He didn’t say anything at the time but the cushions placed by the others barely softened his landing. His biceps ache in real time as he remembers carrying Max’s comatose body for over 5 minutes as he ran from the demodogs. He smirks slightly when he remembers kicking one of them. His mind flashes forward, to when he tweaked his ankle doing a 180 too quickly while at full sprint to run back and save Dustin from getting skewered by the Mindflayer.
He sighs again and frowns, angry with himself for even worrying about his body aches when Max was laying on his bed basically quadriplegic. Whatever he’d been through, Max had been through much worse, 10x times so. A smile breaks through his lips and he reaches again for her hand on the bed, this time holding it a bit longer. God was he thankful she was there.
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Max’s eyes fluttered open as sunlight beamed through the window and into her face. She silently groaned as she realized no matter what angle she moved her head, the sunlight was still bothering her. She curses under her breath before she calls for the love of her life.
“Lucas…” She says in an almost whisper, half wishing he doesn't hear her. But he does, he always does. The door to the room opens and there he is, his beautiful brown eyes piercing deep into her own, his attentive gaze almost exposing. Everyday more handsome than the last, she thinks to herself. He’s already dressed for school but was still in the middle of getting ready as evidenced by the toothbrush in his mouth and the pick sticking out of his hair. Before she can say anything he glances over to the window and strides over quickly to close the shades.
“Thank you.” she says with a sheepish smile. She looks over at the closet and Lucas has already picked out her clothes. A yellow shirt, a pair of dark blue sweatpants and one of Lucas’ blue jackets that she loves to wear. She shouldn't be amazed by how well he knows her at this point, but she always is. He comes over and sits on his bed, the one he’s graciously given up to her for the past 3 months and takes her hand in his. It frustrates her to no end that she can barely feel the pressure and warmth of his hand squeezing hers but she’s grateful that every day she feels more and more of it.
“Ready?” He asks and she nods.
Lucas stands up from the bed and removes the blanket from on top of her before leaning down to pick her up bridal style. The same way he “iconicly” did in the hospital as Robin likes to put it. He brings her over to the bathroom and sits her onto the toilet, stepping out to give her privacy as she uses it. She chuckles to herself at how ridiculous it is that he still does that given what he’s about to do but she appreciates the gesture. Quietly she takes stock of how far she’s come since waking up. Having control of her bladder was not something she’ll ever take granted again. She calls for him once she’s finished and he comes in, the sleeves of his shirt already rolled up. He kneels before her and places a hand on the bottom of her nightgown and looks up at her awaiting for permission he doesn't need. She nods and he pulls it off of her, leaving her completely naked, as exposed as one can be. Max doesn’t even flinch. She trusts Lucas with her life; he’s earned that. Again, he takes her into his arms and lifts her from the toilet and onto the shower chair. He turns on the shower head and bathes her. Methodically and with intention he gets every inch of her body from head to toe, every inch. They have small talk during the process, and neither of them skip a beat whenever Lucas has to wash her breasts, vagina or butt. For him, he’s providing a service, and for her, she couldn't feel safer with his touch.
“I want to show you something.” Max says as she sits in front of Lucas’ closet mirror, dressed in the clothes he picked out. He’s standing behind her, drying her hair when he looks up.
“What is it?” He asks.
“Look at my feet.” She says and he looks at them from the view of the mirror. Max bites her lip slightly and starts to wiggle the big toe on the right foot. Lucas’ eyes widen and his mouth opens up slightly.
“Holy shit Max!” he starts before she cuts him off.
“You haven’t seen nothing yet.” She says with a devious grin before she wiggles the big toe on her left foot. Lucas’ arms shoot up to his head in amazement and he jumps onto the bed and starts hooting in excitement. Max can’t help but laugh along with him.