Chapter Text
Mike is sitting in a destroyed Castle Byers, holding what was once a picture of the party. It’s been one month since Will cut off contact with Mike, but it feels like forever.
Mike: “Stupid. Stupidly ruined everything.” He runs his fingers through his wet curly hair. He hears a snap in the woods behind him, and quickly wipes his eyes. Max walks in, and sits next to Mike.
Max: “Hey.”
Mike: “hey.” Max slips her fingers through his.
Max: “You ok?”
Mike: “No, not really.”
Max: “That’s ok. I can stay here.” Mike leans his head onto her shoulder.
Mike: “Will Lucas be mad if he sees us like this?”
Max: “No, I don’t think so. But even if he is, I can just dump his ass again." Mike laughs.
Mike: "I really think you need a hobby."
Max: "I have one Mike."
Mike: "Dumping Lucas whenever you get bored is NOT a hobby."
Max: “It is to me.”
Mike: “All right. Why did you come here?”
Max: “Oh yeah, your dad needs you at the church.”
Mike: “Aw fuck."
Max: “I know you hate it, but he just finished up with morning service, and he wants to talk to you before the next service.”
Mike: “Fine.” Mike stands up from the ground, and walks to his car. He drives to the church, and walks inside. His dad is waiting for him in his office.
Mike’s Dad: “Hello Michael.”
Mike: “What the fuck do you want Ted?”
Ted: “Do not speak those words in the house of God Michael."
Mike: "What are you gonna do about it?"
Ted: “Michael. Calm down.” Mike sits down on the extra chair.
Mike: “What did you want me for Dad?”
Ted: “You will be going on a date with a girl named Max.” Mike wants to throw up.
Mike: “You mean Max Mayfield?! Dad, she has a boyfriend!”
Ted: “He broke up with her yesterday.”
Mike: “What?”
Ted: “Yes, well I spoke with her mother, and we agreed that you two will be meeting for dinner at Enzo's tonight.”
Mike: “Dadddd.”
Ted: “Michael. End of discussion. You will be picking her up in two hours. Go make yourself look… presentable.” Mike looks down at his black, ripped jeans and hoodie.
Mike: "What the hell is that shit supposed to mean?"
Ted: “It just means that I want you to show respect.”
Mike: “Respect to what?”
Ted: “Respect to her, your family, and yourself.”
Mike: “Oh my fucking god."
Ted: “Michael Wheeler!”
Mike: “Fine, I’ll go make myself fit your standards of what a respectable person should look like.” Mike walks out of the church, and drives home. When he walks inside, Nancy is waiting for him at the top of the stairs.
Nancy: “Dad said you’re going on a date?”
Mike: “Yeah.”
Nancy: “Who’s the unlucky guy?”
Mike: “You think dad would set me up with a guy?”
Nancy: “Yeah now that you say it…”
Mike: “He set me up with Max.”
Nancy: “What? Does he not see her here ALL the time?”
Mike: “I don’t know at this point.”
Nancy: “Well, I was instructed to help pick you an outfit for your “date”."
Mike: “Ugh, fine.” Mike leads Nancy into his room, and sits down on the bed while Nancy inspects his closet. She pulls out a cream polo, and some black jeans. She throws them at his head.
Nancy: “Put these on.” Mike looks at the polo with disgust.
Mike: “This is hideous.”
Nancy: “Just put it on.” Mike reluctantly pulls off his hoodie, and slides into the polo. He then pulls off the pair of ripped jeans that he is wearing, and replaces them with the pair that Nancy handed him.
Mike: “I look like an oreo.”
Nancy: “Shut up, you look fine. Accessorice how you want. Just don’t let dad see your rings.” Mike pushes Nancy out of the room, and does his usual winged eyeliner before adding his favorite choker and cross chain. He then adds a few silver bracelets, and lots of rings. He makes sure to wear the one he knows that Max likes the best before slipping out the door to go pick up Max. She is already waiting for him in a cream cocktail mini dress. He walks up to her porch, and ushers her to the passenger seat. She steps inside, and he walks around to get back into the car.
Max: “So we can both agree that this is NOT a date right?”
Mike: “Absolutely. Also, when did you and Lucas break up again?” Max looks out the window as they pull out of the driveway.
Max: “Mike… I’m pregnant.” Mike pulls into a gas station. He turns to face her. He’s not angry, his face is filled with genuine concern.
Mike: “Max, when did you and Lucas break up?”
Max: “We didn’t.”
Mike: “Who told my dad that you did?”
Max: “My mom thinks we did.”
Mike: “Max, you’re barely sixteen years old.”
Max: “I know.”
Mike: “Does Lucas know?”
Max: “No.”
Mike: "Max, you need to tell him."
Max: "Mike, we were drunk and being stupid."
Mike: "Oh my god Max."
Max: “I’m not getting an abortion.”
Mike: “Max…”
Max: “Mike, I know how it sounds, but it’s my baby. And I should be able to decide what I want to do with it.”
Mike: “I really think you need to tell Lucas.”
Max: “He’ll figure it out on his own.”
Mike: “Max…”
Max: “Mike, I’m not telling him.” Mike puts the car in reverse, and starts to pull out of the gas station.
Max: “Mike, what are you doing?”
Mike: “If you won’t tell Lucas, then I will.” Max throws her arms up in defeat.
Max: “Fine! I’ll tell him!”
Mike: “Good, because we’re going right now.”
Max: “Oh my god Mike, we look ridiculous.” Mike pulls into Lucas’ driveway.
Mike: “Good thing I brought a change of clothes then.” He rolls into the trunk, and quickly slips on his hellfire club hoodie and ripped jeans. He pops back into the front seat, and Max smiles slightly.
Max: “What am I supposed to wear?” Mike smirks, and digs into the bottom of his bag. He pulls out Max’s favorite jeans and t-shirt. He throws them at her, and motions for her to change in the back.
Max: “Where did you…”
Mike: “You left them in my room when you were borrowing my hoodie.”
Max: “Ahh.”
Mike: “Go change.” Max jumps into the back, and quickly changes. Max opens the trunk, and hops out. Mike quickly follows her to the porch, and she rings the doorbell. Erica opens the door, and peeks her head outside.
Erica: “What.”
Max: “Is Lucas home?”
Erica: “Yeah.”
Mike: “Can we talk to him?”
Erica: “Yeah.”
Mike: “Can we come in?”
Erica: “Yeah.” Erica opens the door, and ushers them inside. Max and Mike walk upstairs to Lucas’ room, to see him painting a d&d minifigure. Mike crouches up behind him, and jumps out.
Mike: “Boo!”
Lucas: “Aghh!” Lucas turns around and jumps up when he sees them. He runs over to Max, and lifts her into his arms. She giggles.
Lucas: “Baby!"
Max: “Hi stalker!” Lucas spins her around, before setting her on his bed.
Mike: “Max, tell him.” Lucas’ smile fades into a confused look.
Lucas: “What do you mean, tell me what?” Max takes a deep breath.
Max: “Lucas, I’m pregnant.” Lucas’ jaw drops. Mike sits down on the bed next to him, and rubs his back.
Lucas: “WHAT?!” Max takes his hand in hers.
Max: “I know it’s a lot to take in right now but… it’s yours, and I’m keeping it.”
Lucas: “Babe…”
Max: “I know.”
Lucas: “As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.” Max sighs.
Max: “Ok good, because I was really overthinking it, and I didn’t want to tell you because I was worried that you would freak out and break up with me, and I was planning to keep it a secret, but then I told Mike, but he told me to tell you, and I probably wouldn’t have told you if it hadn’t been for him, so I guess what I’m trying to say is, thank you for understanding.”
Lucas: “Of course babe. I’ll always accept your choices.”