𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐒𝐈𝐗 - parting ways

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 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐄 that she would never find anything as comforting, than to have her head atop her father's shoulder, her fingers tangled with her sisters all the while Steve Harrington remained right by her side.

 Knowing that they were all safe, if only for a little while, had plucked away the pressure planted upon her shoulders and weighed down her chest. Scarlet felt like she could finally rest. With Hopper's heartbeat flooding her ears, the glare of neon lights flashing by her closed eyes, Steve's fingers reaching for her own while Eleven's twitched within her hold... she could have happily stayed there forever.

 But that simply wasn't plausible.

 Even now Mike Wheeler's voice echoed through the emptied mall to relay his story; they'd chased Billy Hargrove around Hawkins, watching as black crawled up his neck and as the Mind Flayer strung him along like a pathetic old puppet. He detailed the beast they'd run into... a monster made from the flesh and bones of people they'd once seen pattering around their dreary little town.

 His eyes had fallen to the ground when he told them what had happened within the cabin. How the Mind Flayer had used the information Billy had managed to gather and tracked them down. There had been a confrontation; a battle between Eleven and the Mind Flayer.

 Mike hadn't been able to meet Scarlet or Hopper's eyes when he told them how the cabin was nothing more than a cracked shell... how debris littered the floor. It was rubble and dust.

 The mere thought had sent a pang through Scarlet's heart; her first proper home was reduced to nothing more than a sad little remnant of a fight. But all broken things could be mended, couldn't they? Perhaps when the fight was over they'd trail through the woods with nails and hammers, with planks of wood and cans of paint; maybe they'd restore it together.

 Scarlet blinked, eyes pulled away from Mike as Steve reached over, dabbing an already blood-smeared napkin just below her nose. He'd been at it for some time, swiftly scooping away blood and dirt as best he could all while trying his best not to falter beneath Hopper's stern gaze.

 Hopper hadn't been able to tear that fatherly glower away from Steve; something had happened... that much he knew, and no, Hopper didn't mean the blood and bruises on the poor kid's face. No... he could see the sly little looks, the closer-than-usual proximity...

 Eleven's light little giggle broke him free from his thoughts. His eyes warmed and stooped to her face, watching as she grinned. Her crooked teeth gleamed through that sweet little smile, and Eleven nuzzled closer to her father, "Steve's her boyfriend."

 Hopper had wanted to keep up that facade of a gruff father who wanted to protect his little girls from every boy in town... but after months of watching Steve Harrington tiptoe around his feelings like a schoolboy with a crush... Not that Hopper was any better when it came to — anyway, Hopper could only chuckle, "Well, finally." His chin jutted Scarlet's way, "Thought she'd find her first grey hair before you both gave in."

 Scarlet couldn't help but snort. Trust her dear father to be of the same mind as the children surrounding them. Trust the usually gruff and intrusive father to soften his stare and poke fun at his eldest. He was probably just glad that he could be the one laughing... rather than having his daughters laughing at him.

 But while Scarlet had taken things in stride, Steve felt himself blow out a tense little breath. He'd felt pinned beneath Hopper's long and invasive stare, as though someone had grabbed his arms and held him against the ground... so when Hopper rose his hand from Scarlet's shoulder and clapped his own, Steve felt his heart finally calm.

 Hopper thanked him for looking after his girls, for taking Eleven's hand and being by Scarlet's side; Steve had been left in a pitiful state of confusion, thinking that the chief would have hauled him up the stairs, just to throw him back down again. He'd seen those harsh looks that Mike had received.

 Steve had taken a short moment to peer over at the family; the way Hopper's fingers fiddled with the blue band on Eleven's wrist, the way his head leaned atop Eleven's, only to topple upon Scarlets moments later. The siblings shared soft smiles, checking in on one another with every minute that passed... and then he felt his hand enveloped in warmth.

 Scarlet reached over, trailing a finger over his knuckles, digits soon worming to tangle within his own. A short tug was all it took for Steve to scooch closer, arm brushing against her own, knees knocking together.

 There were no protests from Hopper or Eleven; the family had once again let him join them with no quarrels to be found. Steve almost choked up. His heart began to race; he felt included... needed... important. It was then that Steve Harrington realised he hadn't just won the affection of the girl he'd been pining after, but her sister, her father too.

 They cared about him.

 He didn't have siblings of his own, and it was well known by now that Steve's father wasn't much of a father at all; just a man with a title bestowed upon him at Steve's birth. Eleven had become something that the other kids hadn't; something so close to a sister that Steve felt just as protective as Scarlet when it came to anything happening to her... Steve adored Eleven. And while Hopper could be an acquired taste, he'd never treated Steve in the way his father had.

 Hopper might have tried to appear like the standard dad who hated any boys that were near his kids... but even still, Hopper would never refrain from a thank you directed Steve's way whenever he made sure Scarlet got home safe... or whenever he'd pick Eleven up.

 Steve felt as though he finally fitted in somewhere, rather than just trying to force himself into a dynamic. He just... fell right in, as though they'd made space for him without even thinking about it. Steve bumped his head against Scarlet's, delighting in the smile that hiked her lips just a tad higher.

 Then, he directed his gaze back to Mike, "So, just to be clear, this... this big fleshy spider thing that hurt El — " He reached over, flicking her cheek with as much softness as he could muster. Eleven swatted his hand with a tired bout of laughter, "— It some kind of gigantic... weapon? But instead of, like, screws and metal, the Mind Flayer made its weapon... with melted people?"

 "Yes, exactly." Nancy nodded as though it was as simple as that.

 "Yeah, okay. I was just — yeah, sure."

 Scarlet sighed as their conversation disappeared into the background. They went back and forth, discussing whether the Mind Flayer was really gone, but they all knew with certainty that it was just wishful thinking. Scarlet glanced at Will, only to find that the young boy was staring right back. It was a silent conversation that said just one thing only — he's still here.

 They could both feel him. Even in moments filled with chaos, there was always that slight chill on their spines, a tickle at their necks. They knew well enough that the Mind Flayer was somewhere... just waiting for the right moment to strike them all.

 Their eyes soon drifted apart, snapping to an echoing yell coming from none other than Murray Bauman. He was... an odd man to say the very least. Dressed in a sweat-drenched vest and shorts that were entirely too short and tight, but, according to Hopper, he was needed.

 The man sailed through the mall, hands clutching at papers as they waved wildly within the air, "Yoo-hoo!" he called, "Yoo-hoo!"

 Scarlet blinked at his performance.

 His flip-flops pounded upon the ground, slapping as he picked up the pace... then he slid to a stop, ushering Hopper over as he smoothed down his papers upon an old table stained with ketchup.

 Hopper sighed with such intensity, Scarlet had been sure he'd deflate until he was but a small splatter on the ground. He heaved himself up, and with the utmost regret, allowed his daughter's hands to slip from his grasp.

 His warmth was dearly missed, and soon enough Eleven shifted in place and settled her head upon her sister's lap, grinning like a happy little feline the moment Steve smoothed a hand over her hair.

 Eleven peered up at them, "Happy?"

 It was so very innocent and soft that Scarlet melted like butter in a pan. El's doe-brown eyes hardly blinked as she looked between them, clocking the smile on Steve's face, the narrowed fondness within Scarlet's eyes.

 "'Course we are," Steve muttered, "You're here, aren't you?"

 Eleven managed a light little giggle. It rang like a windchime, echoing around the almost deserted mall. Even Hopper couldn't help but spare a short glance their way, a light curl of his lips tugging his gruff features higher.

 Eleven tightened her hold on the hands she fiddled with, a sudden haze of sadness washing over her like a tidal wave. She had been beside herself – concerned of her sister's whereabouts; when Scarlet hadn't been seen... When Steve and Robin hadn't been found within Scoops Ahoy; Eleven had wanted to search for Scarlet, to use her mind and powers to seek her out. The problem was... Scarlet's mind was so heavily fortified that Eleven wouldn't have been able to so much as poke at her brain.

 She wouldn't have managed a whisper.

 "I couldn't find you." She muttered, glittery fingernails trailing over a little scar on her sister's pointer finger. She blinked owlishly at Steve, finally raising her head, "You weren't here."

 "We..." Scarlet sighed. It was all so very hard to explain. She hadn't wanted to involve Eleven, just in case there was that slim chance the Russians were after her, but they had never meant to fall so far. They'd never meant to tumble into hell itself, "I'm sorry, Ellie."

 "I was scared something happened."

 Something did happen. That was the problem.

 Scarlet wouldn't utter the intricacies. She wouldn't voice the gun at her head, nor the blood that stained her hands... but it was so very clear that something weighed heavily on her shoulders. Eleven could see it... she could feel it.

 Her sister was breaking, and nothing was more terrifying to Eleven than that. The strongest person she knew... crumbling like a tragic pile of ashes.

 It had all caught up to Scarlet — the lives she'd taken. The biggest problem... was the fact that she knew she should have felt guilty. She knew she should have felt something, anything about the men she had killed so very brutally.

 But there was nothing. Not even a hint or whimper of regret. That was what was the scariest part... She felt like the person Kali had tried to turn her into; the person she'd sworn never to become. Yet when she watched as her friends — no. When she'd watched her family get beaten and threatened right before her eyes, that line between revenge and justice became nothing more than a blur.

 The thread had snapped, and Scarlet wasn't sure it would be able to tie itself back together.

 She felt different.

 The three sat in silence and solace once more, eyes merely passing over the chittering group before them, ears hardly hearing... Until Erica Sinclair split the peaceful chatter.

 "What?" her scoff rang loud like a siren, echoing through their ears and rattling about their skulls, "You're just gonna waltz in there like it's commie Disneyland or something?"

 They were all rendered silent while Lucas slammed his own palm against his forehead.

 Murray blinked, recoiling at the girl as though she'd fired a gun in his direction, "I'm sorry, who are you?"

 Erica's eyes rolled and settled upon her nails. They were decorated with stickers beneath a sheen of clear polish. She scanned them half-heartedly, making the man tap his flip-flop against the ground in utter irritation. When she was sufficiently satisfied with the sneer on his face, she gave him a once over, "Erica Sinclair. Who are you?"

 "Murray..." His eyes flashed to Hopper, "Bauman."

 "Listen, Mr Bunman, I'm not trying to tell you how to do things, but I've been down in that shithole for twenty-four hours. And with all due respect, you do what this man tells you —" She paused to point at each and every teenager and adult within the room before settling her narrowed eyes back on Murray. "— You're all gonna die."

 Scarlet wanted to let the laughter swelling within the back of her throat free; Hopper looked so very tired and confused. His heavy brows had fallen, almost obscuring his eyes... his moustache could hardly smother the downturn of his lips. Murray... Murray looked entirely affronted.

 He craned over Erica, peering down at her as though she were a little bug ready to be squashed, "I'm sorry, why is this four-year-old speaking to me?"

 In typical Erica fashion, the girl exploded like a cannon, "Excuse me? I'm ten, you bald bastard!"

 "Erica!" Lucas' voice shrilled. There wasn't a hint of scolding to be found, only complete and utter shock. He knew his little sister was... well, Erica, but even he hadn't expected that.

 "Just the facts!"

 To be honest... Erica was right. They were the facts. Hopper might have been a police officer, he might know his way around a gun and he might tower over almost every person he came into contact with... but he was no match for an army and he was certainly no match for sneaking into places that required utter silence. That was not within Jim hoppers arsenal of talents.

 Dustin was clearly of the same frame of mind, for he took a step forth, meeting the eyes of their chief, "She's right. You're all gonna die, but you don't have to. Excuse me, sorry, may I?" Dustin didn't wait for a response as he slivered to Murray's side, plucking his pencil. He twirled it between his fingers, staring up at them all.

 "Okay, see this room here? This is a storage facility. There's a hatch in here that feeds into their underground ventilation system." Dustin took a second to draw a raggedy line across the map before continuing his explanation. "That will lead you to the base of the weapon. It's a bit of a maze down there, but between me and Erica, we can show you the way."

 We can show you the way. 

 That was not going to go over well with Hopper, and Scarlet knew it. She had clocked the blink of utter bewilderment, the frown that had suddenly deepened the lines on his face. Then, of course, there were the hands that had flown to his hips; how very Steve of him.

 Scarlet couldn't quite pinpoint where she stood. There wasn't a sliver of her that wanted Dustin or Erica to find their way back in those tunnels... but there wasn't a chance in hell that she was about to let Hopper go without a shred of help. No. She couldn't bear the thought of somebody else throwing themselves into danger; especially her father.

 Scarlet pried her hand from Eleven's, laughing softly as her sister protested with a little pout on her lips. She had to stand with Dustin... or at least make her voice heard; Hopper wasn't going alone.

 She shifted, ever so carefully manoeuvring from her spot while Steve happily opened his arms for Eleven to fall into. Scarlet was certain that the sight of Eleven coiled within Steve's arms would never fail to make her heart shudder in utter delight.

 "Hey, you," Steve murmured, a light finger tucking a matted strand of Eleven's hair behind her ear, "Take a nap, I'll wake you, I promise."

 Eleven looked like she wanted to argue as she stared at him, eyes inching shut against her own will... however, the moment Steve bobbed his head in promise, Eleven soon fell against him and let her eyes flutter to a close.

 Scarlet stifled her smile, slow steps echoing through the air as she pattered to the cluster of adults, teens and children all hovering around the map. Hopper had drawn closer to Dustin, peering down at him, "You can show us the way?"

 Dustin grinned, "Mhm," his hand drifted through the air, "Don't worry, you can do all the fighting and dangerous hero shit, and we'll just be your... navigators."

 Hopper's slow and sarcastic smile was one that Scarlet knew all too well. It was his 'yeah, nice try but no' smile. The one that never seemed to have an effect on his eldest daughter... It always seemed to sprout like a plant whenever Scarlet turned over the television channel or even the radio station.

 It was most prevalent when Eleven tried her luck and asked if Mike could stay the night. The resounding no still echoed in their ears to this day.

 Hopper's answer was, as ever, short and incredibly un-sweet, "Nope."

 "They're right," Scarlet said, rather flippantly. She ignored his scowl, the very one that almost begged her to stay out of things... but he should have known by now that she was just as stubborn as he was. Everybody else knew it, too.

 Mike had to smother a grin. Lucas recoiled, biting at his fingernails while Max cocked her head and watched with a smile. They all knew that there were just two people that could ever go head-to-head with Jim hopper. Joyce Byers... and Scarlet herself.

 Scarlet shrugged, "You need somebody to tell you where you're going."

 "Nope. No way."

 "Then you don't go." Scarlet's voice had faded. From honey, sugar and any other tooth-rottenly sweet thing... to nothing more than a low whisper as bitter as black coffee. She wasn't going to let him go without help; and they all knew very well that she had the capability to make him stay.

 Hopper ran his tongue over his teeth, "Excuse me?"

 "You don't go." Eleven had managed to stumble her way forth. Her leg was still dragged over the ground, her new bandage already stained red... her body weight was almost entirely leaning upon Steve but he didn't falter.

 They took their steps together, soon joining Scarlet's side. The sisters stared down their father, a mixture of tired doe eyes and bitter whiskey brown pierced through him.

 Hopper might have felt their gazes burning into his cheek, their worry stabbing his heart... but he had to do it. He had to do it alone, "Oh," He breathed, "I'm going."

 There was a ringing in Scarlet's ears. A sudden flash of the hell hole she'd been tied within. Bruises, cuts, scrapes... pools of blood and shining metal tools... she couldn't let him. She wouldn't. 

 Her voice was stone cold, slithering through an unseemly sneer, "No."

 It was the first time she'd outright opposed her father. She could dance around a subject like a ballerina. She could weasel into his good graces and waver his ego and pride... this time, there wasn't another option.

 She took a step, hardly noticing the way Murray cleared his throat and quickly cleared from Hopper's side. She looked up at him; no dimples to be seen, no peering through her lashes to try and guilt him into listening. It was like they'd met for the first time again, staring like strangers... Unafraid of soiling their bond.

 "Scarlet, don't." His voice rumbled like the low growl of a bear. He was always an imposing man; towering like a building, built like a damned lumberjack... but he couldn't even ignite a single spark of apprehension within his daughter.

 She stood against him as though he was nothing more than one of the kids surrounding them. It was infuriating... and yet... Hopper couldn't so much as feel a twinge of anger.

 Still, his rebuttal made that little switch within her... snap. "No! Listen to me!" Her voice carried throughout the mall, jumping from wall to wall like a looming threat. Hopper blinked at the red glaze that swelled within her eyes — she hadn't even noticed it, "You're not going down there without help, and you know damn well that I can keep you here."

 She sounded different. Scarlet couldn't have been completely sure she had even spoken in the first place... was that really her voice? Cold? Loud? As sharp as a knife? Yet the sound kept coming, "We were down there —" She flung her hand Steve's way and Hopper couldn't help but swallow at the bruises on Steve's skin... something he'd grown used to seeing, "Look at him!" She thrust her arm closer to his face, revealing a ragged line of raw skin that her binds had torn apart like ravenous beasts, "Look at me!"

 The final word slammed against him... and Hopper finally softened. His fingers pulled at her own, bringing the wound ever closer. His thumb smoothed over the line... and it was enough for the switch to flip right back where it had been, as though it hadn't wavered at all.

 "Please just —" Scarlet looked away, eyes falling upon a neon sign. Her throat began to close, that little sting igniting right at the very back... after everything that had happened, she just wanted her family to be safe. Was that really so much to ask for? "Take the walkie with you? Dustin can guide you from here. He's safe, you have help. We both get what we want."

 Hopper remained silent for a few beats, his eyes focused on the way tears had bubbled within her eyes... then, after watching as one fell free, scuttling down her cheek after its great escape, he swiftly flicked his ever-softening gaze to Eleven. She was no different. She clung to Steve as though he was a lifeline, fingers digging into his bruised arm... yet he never once flinched or pulled away.

 His girls just wanted to make sure he came home to them, that was all... and to think of it that way had almost sent Hopper toppling to his knees — he'd felt the very same way within that hospital room with... with Sara. He had just wanted her to come home.

 His shoulders slackened... and like that, he descended from the gruff chief arguing with his stubborn children, to the father that melted like butter in a pan at their batting lashes and wide brown eyes.

 How could he say no? The answer was; he couldn't. He'd never been able to, and he certainly wasn't about to start now.

 "Okay." He breathed, flicking away the stubborn little tear that hung upon Scarlet's chin before sliding his thumb over her cheek, "Okay. I'll take the walkie." he spared Dustin a short look, "You can direct us."

 Scarlet felt that bubble within her gut simmer and fade away as though it had never been there at all. What was wrong with her? She couldn't believe it; the rage she'd felt, the way her voice had risen to a yell that could have rivalled Mr Harrington's... the way she'd threatened Hop...

 She stepped back, her arm bumping Steves, "Thank you." Her voice was meek, no more than a squeak of a mouse as she dropped her gaze to the ground. Guilt.

 Eleven nodded too, her lips dragging higher, "Halfway happy."

 Dustin waited a moment; he gave the family a short while to stew within their agreement, to let the tears dry and fade away. He understood only having a single parent... you wanted to protect them, to make sure they were okay, and that they were happy.

 Scarlet and Eleven... Hopper took them in. He kept them safe beneath his roof and supplied them with all the love he'd been unable to give to Sara. Dustin knew how much the siblings cared for their father; what they would do to protect anybody — especially him.

 So he waited... and waited... and then he piped up, "Thing is... The walkies signal won't reach if you're down there. We need something with a high enough frequency band to relay with the Russians' radio tower." Dustin grinned and snapped his fingers; Hopper rose a brow, and suddenly Dustin settled his fingers back by his side, "Fortunately for you, not only have I seen their comms room, but I also have access to a super-powered handcrafted radio tower. You want us to navigate? You got us, but we need a head start."

 Erica rose a pointed finger into the air, "And a car."

 That frown etched its way back onto Hopper's face... he could have sworn he'd seen his daughter's beloved baby blue car sitting proudly within the barren parking lot. His gaze slid from the children that would be trusted to guide him through unknown territory, to his eldest. Her fingers still twitched at her side as though ready to follow through with her previous threat to keep Hopper right where he was, "What happened to yours?"

 "Russians took my keys." 

 Hopper was growing ever more bitter; watching the way Scarlet's eyes fled to the ground whenever she recalled her time down below. It was the first time he'd seen a genuine spark of fear within her eyes. He said no more about it and fished out a pair of stolen car keys from within his pockets. They were tossed to Steve.

 Steve caught them with ease, as though he was back on the basketball court with squeaking sneakers and a sweaty frock of hair. Eleven looked impressed and he couldn't help but grin down at her with a silly little wink that only made her chortle.

 "There's a car out front... the —" Hopper grimaced, "The Tod Father. You and Ru—" He almost got it wrong again, but the name Rubin died on his tongue as he narrowed a sharp gaze on Robin merely standing as limp as a sack of potatoes... then it came to him, "You and Robin can take the kids to this radio tower."

 Steve almost protested, he'd noticed the distinct lack of Scarlet's name in that sentence... but he knew Scarlet wouldn't dare leave Eleven's side, and it was best she stayed right where she was... her leg wasn't getting any better, after all. If anything, the poor girl had paled further.

 His thoughts were swiftly confirmed when Hopper dropped the familiar look of the police chief and plastered that soft and fatherly gaze back onto his features. Even Steve was comforted by it... he'd seen it too many times to count by now.

 Scarlet stiffened as Hopper's palm landed atop her shoulder. Her jittery fingers came to a standstill as he lowered his voice, "Stay with your sister, okay? You keep her safe."

 "I will." Her response was instantaneous. No hesitation could be found, and all traces of lingering fear and worry had vanished in a flash; determination shone from within. Everyone around them knew that nothing could ever stop Scarlet from keeping her little sister out of harm's reach.

 But Hopper wasn't satisfied enough. He knew his daughter too well. She was just like him; willing to rush head-first into danger just to protect others. They were people who sacrificed themselves for the people they loved.

 His voice deepened, and glistening blue eyes hardened like ice crawling over a lake's surface, "You have to promise me that you'll be safe too."

 That was when a hint of hesitance crept in. Her lips were agape, words refusing to console her father, to soothe his worries. She could never agree to that, not when other people were in danger. They would always come first.

 So... she lied, "I'll be safe."

 "Promise me."

 "I —" There was a bob in her throat as a harsh swallow tightened her muscles. She was a good liar, admittedly, but it was never easy to lie to the people who trusted you, "— I promise."

 Hopper searched her face for a moment but she was so very skilled at keeping her lips thinned, her eyes entirely blank... he couldn't find a damned thing. A hollow sigh rumbled from his gut; it was the best he was going to get.

 So rather than continue on the path of a bleak conversation, carefully manoeuvring around the real threats they'd be facing, Hopper let his lips curl, "So..." His eyes flashed to Steve who, as ever, was coddling Eleven like a child would a puppy, "About you and Harrington —"

 "— I'm not doing this." It was Hopper's turn to finally see a burst of pink explode upon her cheeks like the fireworks at the carnival he'd formerly fled from. He almost bellowed, watching as she ran her tongue over her teeth and hastily looked away.

 "Come on." He dragged out with irritating glee.

 Scarlet hated the heat she felt in her cheeks, and had she been a better person... made she'd have felt sorry for all of the times she'd teased Steve ever so relentlessly... but teasing Steve Harrington was too fun and enthralling to ever regret. Scarlet turned on her heel, dirty converse carrying away from her chuckling father and closer to Steve and Eleven, "Nope! Go away!"

 Hopper's laughter trailed through the mall like a bad smell, but even despite the heat on her cheeks and the very tips of her ears, Scarlet was rather relieved that Hopper had taken things in stride... not that she thought anything less would have happened. For even though Hopper might try and convince her that Steve could only ever trail inside the cabin if he had burgers in hand... Scarlet knew that Hopper had grown to care about him more than most.

 She approached Steve and Eleven, her steps slowing just a tick. Watching as Steve shooed awry hairs from her sister's cheeks, as he carefully smoothed a thumb over her knuckles, and as he repeatedly asked how she was doing... Scarlet couldn't tame the fondness creeping upon her lips.

 "Hey," Steve whispered, his voice as light as a fickle feather toppling through a delicate breeze. He was careful of Eleven's growing headache, "Come here."

 A hand beckoned her forth, and there was no pause as Scarlet's fingers tangled with his own. She let him tug her closer and closer until she slumped right beside him, "Hi."

 Now that she felt the warmth radiating from him, softly caressing her skin and filling her veins with nothing but comfort... she almost didn't want to let him go. She didn't particularly want to part with Robin, either... not after everything they'd been through. But She knew Steve understood; she couldn't leave Eleven, and it wasn't fair to drag her along all the while her leg continued to bleed and throb.

 Her temple found his shoulder, "Stay safe."

 "I will..." His eyes found Robin across the room; she tried her best to build a facade and pretend as though she was alright... but there were cracks. Steve and Scarlet had been through this before... and still, they were flooded with fear that was sure to linger for the rest of their days. Robin was new to everything, "I'll make sure Rob's okay, Dustin and Erica too."

 Scarlet didn't expect anything less. For while she was just like her father, and so was Steve... in a sense. All three of them were ready to jump before a hurtling bullet just to save the ones they loved; Hopper thought he brought bad things to people, so his danger-seeking nature sprouted from the innate desire to put things right — to hope that he'd be forgiven and never left alone.

 Scarlet... was just a protector. Life had harmed her too many times and had dimmed her hope so much that she simply couldn't find it within herself to preserve the life she led. But it also meant that she was willing to do anything and everything when it came to making sure nobody followed in her footsteps.

 Steve Harrington just wanted love. Even as a child he'd always had so much love to give, and never anybody who would — or wanted to — accept it. As a teenager, he sought it, craved it after being deprived for so long... so when he saw those wide-eyed kids in danger, he could only picture himself as a kid; wanting someone to save him from his dad, wanting someone to shower him with love.

 It was exactly why he'd chased popularity; false love and adoration.

 Steve gave love because he never received it.

 And Scarlet knew it.

 "I know," Scarlet muttered, eyes steadily slipping shut the moment Steve's head landed atop her own, a stray strand of hair brushing against her forehead, "I know you will."

 "And you," Steve said, poking Eleven, "You better rest. You need it."

 Eleven almost pouted, and yet when she found she didn't even have the energy to refute... she sighed, "I will."

 The others were all milling about; Dustin had gravitated towards his friends as they all reluctantly prepared themselves to part ways once more. None of them liked it, they were better as a team, as a party... but this was bigger than their wants.

 It was hard to tell who had been hugging who, for the children all seemed to bundle together in one great ball of lanky limbs and curled frocks of hair. Even Lucas had stepped forth to awkwardly pat his sister on the shoulder. She had smacked him away, of course.

 Scarlet almost smiled at the siblings; Erica might have sneered, batted his arm and hurled a tasteful insult towards her big brother, but there was no mistaking the lilt of fondness that made her lips twitch just ever so slightly as she turned away. Nobody else saw.

 Scarlet soon felt Steve raise his head once more, eyes burning into the side of her face. It was a welcomed feeling, for after dancing around one another for so long... after pretending as though she had been utterly oblivious to his feelings all the while he fell harder and further, it was nice to finally relish in it. It was nice to indulge.

 Steve swooped down, lips planting themselves against her forehead. He'd contemplated the action; they were in front of everyone... and they were still very new to their — Steve almost grinned — relationship. But he just hadn't been able to help himself.

 Warmth blossomed the moment skin made contact with skin, and Scarlet could feel a light buzz start from the very tips of her toes, spreading through her veins; but Scarlet wouldn't have been Scarlet if her mouth didn't fall into a lopsided smile, "You missed."

 Her tone was plied with that usual sweetness that could rot a tooth and Steve knew that within moments, his cheeks would be flaring. He was hopeless, wasn't he?

 Scarlet soon pried herself away from him, arms stretched above her head. A crack and a pop sounded out as her head twisted to and fro; she looked like a feline ready to curl up in the slightest sliver of sunlight they could find. But once her arms were back by her side, she tilted closer, a brow climbing higher all the while Eleven giggled as she watched the two.

 "In front of your sister?" Steve muttered. Now, he was all too happy to comply with her wishes, but he could already feel the tips of his ears erupting in heat as Eleven tried to smother her laughter.

 Scarlet's face fell blank, "I've had to watch Mike try to eat her," Her fingers found Eleven's side, wriggling them like worms until Eleven's laughter bellowed through the bleak mall, leaving her no chance to defend Mikes... unusual methods, "I think you're fine."

 It didn't take much convincing, clearly, for Steve immediately stooped his head and sealed the deal with a swift and chaste peck. That dopey grin appeared on his face the moment he pulled back, eyes surveying Scarlet.

 It was a sight he'd never soon forget; eyes crinkled at the edges, making that warm and honied brown appear ever sweeter. The dimples that dug so deeply into her cheeks, the way her teeth peeked through her lips as her smile grew wider... He really didn't want to leave.

 But when did they ever really get what they wanted?

 Steve had managed to pull himself away not long after, soon hoisting himself into the Tod Father with all the giddiness of a child upon Christmas morning. Robin had scoffed, slithering her way into the passenger seat, watching with dismay as Steve tapped his hands upon the wheel. She didn't particularly want to leave either.

 But the car soon disappeared, all the while each and every passenger sailed their hands through the air, exclaiming their farewells, good lucks and stay safes.

 At least when they all found one another again, everything would be over... right?

 Scarlet's pace was slow as she trailed back inside the mall, watching as Joyce clung to her youngest son with all her might, promising that she'd soon return to him and Jonathan all the while she too, begged that he stay as safe as he could.

 Then, Scarlet's eyes spied her family. Hopper had taken Steve's place. He'd brought Eleven close, supplying her with all the warmth and comfort that he could possibly muster. His hand had found the blue band woven around her wrist... his thumb had tangled itself within a knot as though he himself was contemplating staying right where he was, with his girls.

 Scarlet found her spot beside him and carefully ran a hand through Eleven's matted hair. It was a bushel of knots and dirt; her curls had flattened, weight down by sweat and blood... But it didn't deter Scarlet as she tucked a partially sopping strand behind her sister's ear before swiftly wrangling every inch of it within a scrunchie.

 She peered down at her own wrist, eyes falling upon the band she'd sworn to never take off. It had splatters of blood smeared upon it, and yet Scarlet found nothing to scowl at, no semblance of guilt as she recalled where the blood had come from — she could only ever find solace as she plucked the band and let it ping against her wrist. She did it again, and again until Hopper halted her movement.

 His free hand smoothed the pink skin upon her wrist, thumb crawling beneath the band just like he'd done with Eleven. It was such a tiny little thing, meaningless to almost everyone... But seeing those little bands that had once held Sara's hair in little pigtails only ever reminded Hopper exactly what he was fighting for. His children.

 "You alright?" Scarlet's voice was low, laced with fatigue as the days crept up on her like a gruelling little monster. This had been their first chance to rest, and yet even still, they had yet to process what had truly happened to them.

 Eleven barely nodded, a yawn tearing past her lips, "My battery is low, but... it will recharge."

 "We know it will, kid," Hopper spoke, voice low enough to be heard only by his daughters. It sounded almost foreign, such a low drawl filled with nothing but solace seemed as though it could never come from such a man.

 But even despite the words that caressed her ears, Eleven rose higher, eyes hardening... but nothing could ever conceal the sheer tiredness within her eyes, "We can fight."

 "Better than any of us." Hopper wouldn't dare dispute the fact, not after he'd seen Eleven seal the gate shut, not after he'd caught the girls in the very depths of the woods mucking about with the powers at their fingertips... Scarlet had managed to uproot a damn pine tree, "But right now, I need you safe, both of you. This thing is after you," His gaze then slid from Eleven and to his eldest, "For all we know, it might be after you, too... after what you did for Will. It's not after me... do you understand?"

 They remained utterly silent. Eleven did understand, and so did Scarlet but that wasn't the cause for her quietude.

 It might be after you too.

 There was no might about it. Scarlet knew the Mind Flayer wanted her; from the shivers that wracked her spine, to the echoing chimes of a grandfather clock... she had no idea why she'd been hearing such a thing, but there wasn't a doubt in her mind that it was the Mind Flayers fault.

 She couldn't tell them. The more worried they were, the more distractions there would be. She wouldn't be the cause of a blurred mind, she couldn't be the cause of their harm.

 So her lips remained sealed like an uncrackable safe. Still, none of it was made any easier as flashes of cold and decrepit rooms flashed by. As the memories of a cold gun against her temple reignited a lump in her throat. What if that happened to him? To Joyce? What if they saw — Scarlet almost walked away.

 They'd see the carnage she'd left behind.

 "Hey," Hopper prompted the silence, "I need you both to understand."

 "We do." Scarlet muttered, "Of course we do. We just don't like it."

 Eleven's head bobbed in time; she understood just as well as her sister... but to know that Hopper was delving into danger with just a gun to keep him safe— that would never be enough for them. They kept people safe. Still, Eleven managed to find just a crumb of comfort in knowing Scarlet would be right by her side... like always. It was something she knew she could count on.

 Their eyes were all upon one another, not daring to look away for even a second. It was settling in now... that they were splitting up once again. It never got any easier to watch as someone you loved walked away with the potential to never return. It left a pit right in the depths of the stomach; utter dread flooded like a tidal wave and refused to budge for even a second.

 However, they had no choice but to tear the moment apart when Mike crept forth. For the first time in a very long time, he looked genuinely apologetic as he picked at his fingers and chewed at the skin of his bottom lip, "Hey, uh, we should probably go."

 Hopper made no move to chastise him or grow red in the face with the utmost anger... because he knew their time would be cut short. It always was. So with a heavy heart and lengthy sigh, Hopper untangled himself from his children and brushed the palms of his hands over his jean-clad thighs.

 He took the outstretched hands both Scarlet and Eleven offered him, tugging them both to their feet. It was pure muscle memory for Scarlet to reach out and ensure that Eleven didn't topple over... but he dragged them closer until each of their heads were planted upon his chest. Hopper's arms curled around them, not tight enough for pain to flare, but just strong enough to convey those silent three words.

 His throat constricted, and he knew if he spoke nothing more than a pathetic gurgle would lurch forth.

 But Scarlet, who was very much in the same exact boat; eyes welling with tears, throat aching as that familiar sting crawled higher and higher... she pulled back. There was a glaze before her, all neon lights seemingly bursting into streams, yet she kept her sights set on her father.

 This wasn't just leaving him behind in the cabin, or leaving to stay with Robin for a few nights or perhaps peruse around with Steve... this was something that had the potential to take him and keep him. So while those three words always felt like poison on her tongue... three words she so rarely spoke, Scarlet forced them out of her mouth.

 It hurt, like someone had their hands upon her jaw, forcing her teeth to part ways, "We love you."

 But those words had to be spoken. There couldn't be any room for guessing, no time to assume that yeah, of course they loved one another. Hopper needed to hear them... and Scarlet needed to say them.

 It was enough to rupture any sense of put-togetherness that Hopper thought he possessed. All gruff and burly shields crumbled into fickle puffs of pitiful dust, flitting through the air until they couldn't even be seen. He cracked like glass, and for the first time, his children watched as a tear tumbled down his cheeks.

 He hadn't heard those words since Sara had...

 His head craned, eyes cast to the glass ceiling glittering above them. He tried to reign the tears in, begging for them to return... really, he did. He stooped his sights once more and planted a warm hand on both Scarlet and Eleven's cheeks.

 It felt as though razors were in his throat, each jagged edge cutting deeper and deeper... it wasn't easy for Jim Hopper to utter those words either, but if Scarlet could manage... then so could he, "I love you both, so much."

 It was strange, really... Scarlet couldn't tell if it had been harder to say those words or to hear them. To hear them from somebody who had never uttered them before... it was almost foreboding, like a final goodbye.

 The broken smiles on each of their faces never quite sealed, never quite touched their eyes.

 Scarlet brushed away a tear with her thumb, and she could feel the heat blazing upon her cheeks... she dragged Eleven back within her hold, heads knocking together ever so softly. While some time ago just the two of them could build a fortress of solace... without Hopper, it was like something was missing. Something neither of them could fill.

 Eleven had to bite her lip just to hold back the sob that had been brewing.

 Then, Scarlet finally nodded and squared her shoulders. She had to be strong for them both, "See you soon."

 "Yeah," Hopper's hand tightened by his side, hearing Scarlet's fractured voice and watching as Eleven flicked her eyes away from his face... it was almost enough to make him stay. 

 Almost.

  "See you soon."

━━━━━━━

30-05-2020

edited version: 23/11/2022

:･ﾟ★ oh i have been MEAN this chapter. Damn. (This is the SECOND chapter posted today, please make sure you've read the previous one, it's one of my favs!! OH! I also posted some more graphics in my 'graphics showcase iv' chapter, pls check them out!)

also, hi, hello? almost 8000 words. what is this sorcery?

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