chapter twenty-one.
tw: mentions of puking, death
i love you too
🏳️‍🌈
disclaimer: I hope everything in Spanish is accurate!! I used Spanishdict like someone told me too !! Hopefully it's correct :)) but thank you to that person (I forgot their username, my bad)

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!
VOTE AND COMMENT!!! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)

STRANGER THINGS 3
original chapter

THEY GOT JOSIE BACK TO THE WHEELER HOUSE, the tranquility of the house enveloped the surroundings as the majority embraced the quietude of slumber. However, amidst this stillness, a distinct scene unfolded upstairs in the kitchen. Josie, having shed her father's jacket, found herself seated on the counter. Max, attentive and caring, meticulously cleaned Josie's hand with a disinfectant wipe. A subtle grimace crossed Josie's face, her eyes tightly shut, as the antiseptic touch invoked a reaction from her. The dim kitchen light cast a soft glow on this intimate moment, emphasizing the hushed ambiance of the house.

Max, pausing in his ministrations, sent her a apologetic glance before refocusing on Josie's hand. "You probably like this, huh?" Josie remarked, prompting Max to gaze at her in bewilderment. "What?" His heart fluttered as he met Josie's brown eyes, captivated for a moment. "Me in pain," the Cortez girl murmured, tilting her head to the side, revealing a vulnerable aspect of herself.

Max's gaze intensified as she looked back down at Josie's hand, scrutinizing the damage. The revelation struck her – stitches would be necessary; Billy's aggression had left a lasting impact. "Oh, no..." Max muttered, a tinge of self-blame threading through her words.

Josie, sensing the shift, arched an eyebrow. "Is everything okay?" Her voice held a note of concern as Max, choosing not to respond, angrily slammed the cabinets. The frustration in the air was palpable as she furiously searched through the cabinets, the clatter echoing the tension in the room.

Max groaned audibly, frustration etching lines across her face. In a burst of anger, she ran her hands through her hair and kicked a cabinet, venting her pent-up emotions. Josie, growing concerned, leaped off the counter, approached Max, and gently took her hand. "Max, what's wrong?" Josie questioned, her worry evident in her voice.

The Mayfield girl stuttered, "Th—there's no needles anywhere! You need stitches. Billy got you good, and it's all my fault! You—you got hurt because I didn't stop him. This is all my fault! If I listened to you and El—El sooner, maybe, maybe... he wouldn't be flayed still. I could've saved him! Now—now..." The weight of guilt and regret colored Max's words as she grappled with the consequences of her actions.

Max broke down, tears streaming from her eyes, accompanied by small sobs. Josie, unsettled by this rare sight of Max's vulnerability, couldn't bear witnessing her like this—except for that time on the top of the bus. Josie gently cupped her hands around Max's face. "Hey, hey," she comforted, rubbing her thumb around Max's cheek. "It is not your fault. You just wanted proof and facts. I know you care about him, sunshine. There is still time to save him. I will not let him die. I will do everything with all my power to save him." Josie's reassurance aimed to console Max amidst the emotional turmoil.

Max looked at Josie and nodded, a sad smile playing on her face. "I know you will, Jo. You're the strongest person I know. I just wish there was more I could do to help," she cried, and Josie squeezed her hand in a comforting gesture. "You've already done so much, darling. You've helped me, you got El out of the cabin, she has clothes now and not hand-me-downs, and you're the best thing that has ever happened to me," Josie whispered, removing her hands from Max's cheeks.

Josie gently pulled her sleeve down, using it to wipe away the tears on Max's face. "Now, you stop crying, okay? I don't wanna start crying," she teased, her voice carrying a tender but slightly shaky tone.

AUTHOR NOTE: PLAY WILDEST DREAMS HERE!!

Max hesitated for a moment, a subtle tension in the air before she spoke. "Josie, I need to tell you something," she murmured, her voice carrying a weight that hinted at the importance of her words. Josie furrowed her eyebrows, her gaze fixed on Max, a mixture of anticipation and concern playing across her features. "Yeah?" she prompted, her tone gentle yet expectant, ready to receive whatever revelation Max was about to share.

Max's heart fluttered; this was the moment. From the instant she saw Josie in front of their houses to battling monsters and navigating the highs and lows, Max was ready to confess her feelings. Through it all, she had discovered a deep and enduring love for Josie.

"I love you," Max blurted out, the words flowing from her mouth like a gentle breeze. Her heart pounded rapidly as she watched Josie's face for her reaction. Josie's lips curled into a grin, her heart fluttering. "I love you too," she admitted. The exchange marked a significant shift, as Max and Josie had often shared those words, but now it carried a newfound depth, taking on a romantic dimension.

"You're always there for me, Max. You're my rock and my sunshine," Josie added, expressing her appreciation. Max looked at her with a soft expression. "You're my darling, Josie. I'll always be here for you," Max replied with a grin, sealing their heartfelt exchange with a promise of unwavering support and affection.

Josie's laughter resonated, a sweet melody breaking through the weight of the week. "I've missed you so much. I'm sorry for everything that's happened this week," she sincerely apologized. Max, captivated by Josie's words, allowed her gaze to linger on Josie's lips before returning to her brown eyes. "It doesn't matter, just shut up and kiss me," Max's voice sounded raspy, a mix of playfulness and longing.

Josie blinked in shock, caught off guard by Max's sudden boldness. "Wait, wh—" she began, but her words dissolved into a surprised gasp as Max's lips claimed hers. Max's hands tenderly cupped Josie's face, guiding the kiss with a mix of urgency and passion. The Cortez girl, initially taken aback, surrendered to the moment, responding with a rough kiss on the corner of Max's lips. Sensations flooded Josie's senses, the taste of Max's cherry-flavored lips reigniting a longing they both had missed.

Josie's hands skillfully moved to Max's hips, pulling her in closer, and the two seamlessly backed up against the counter. Despite the pain shooting through her hand, Josie's determination fueled her actions. She delicately moved her hand up, pressing it against Max's chest, feeling the rhythmic beats beneath her fingertips.

Simultaneously, Max's hands, initially on Josie's face, embarked on a journey downward. They trailed down Josie's side, exploring the fabric of her brown hoodie, until they found Josie's hands. The tactile connection added layers of intimacy to the moment, as if time stood still, and they were suspended in the tender dance of rediscovering each other.

Max, overwhelmed by a relentless longing since their fight, gave in to the intense desire. Her lips, fueled by a mix of emotions, fervently covered Josie's, capturing a moment that seemed to defy time. As Max's hand ventured under Josie's shirt, the warmth of her touch found Josie's side, gripping it with a mix of urgency and passion.

Josie's stomach danced with butterflies, savoring the unique way Max kissed her. As the intensity of their kiss deepened, Josie's hand trailed up Max's body, fingers deftly hooking around Max's neck, drawing them closer. In a sudden but exhilarating move, Max seized the moment.

Her hands swiftly grabbed the back of Josie's thighs, effortlessly lifting her up. Placed atop the counter, Josie found herself between Max's legs, the unexpected turn of events sparking a whirlwind of surprise and anticipation in her mind. Uncertain yet carried away by the passion, Josie recognized Max's desperate longing for kisses taking a thrilling and unexpected twist.

Josie, fueled by a shared desperation for connection, wrapped her legs around Max's waist, pulling her in with an urgency that spoke volumes. Only two days had passed since their argument, yet the need for closeness was palpable. The corner of Josie's lips met Max's before she skillfully trailed down to Max's neck, leaving an imprint of passion in the form of lingering marks.

Max, surrendering to the moment, tilted her head back, a giggling escape from her lips as she gently set Josie back down on the counter.

Josie sensually pulled her lips away, her hands running through her hair as she cast a teasing glance at Max. Moving her lips to Max's ear, she whispered, "Missed this, didn't you, darling." The warm breath against Max's ear sent shivers down her spine. Josie then traced her lips back to Max's neck, kissing with a rough intensity that fueled the heat between them.

Max's cheek flushed with a scarlet hue, a visible sign of her response to Josie's flirtatious words and actions. She cherished Josie's playful teasing, finding it to be not just a delightful part of their dynamic but one of her favorite things about Josie.

The brunette moved her lips back onto Max's, smiling into the kiss while guiding her hands up Max's neck. In the midst of their passionate moment, a small clack interrupted them. They pulled away, turning their heads towards the sound. El stood there with a blank expression. "Oh, sorry—I was coming for water," she said softly before knitting her eyebrows. "Max, you have a huge bruise on your neck," El observed, giving a puzzled look that hinted at a realization of the recent events.

Josie and Max shared a gaze, their lips curling into smiles before Josie burst into laughter. She stared at the sizable hickey on Max's neck, unable to contain her amusement, and covered her mouth with her hand. "Sorry, darling, I got carried away," she chuckled, her laughter echoing through the room. Max playfully rolled her eyes and shook her head in response.

El walked over, genuine concern in her voice as she examined the notable hickey on Max's neck. "What happened to your neck, Max?" El asked, her eyes narrowing before shifting her gaze to Josie. "Did you do this? How did this happen?" El interrogated, her tone laced with curiosity and concern, trying to piece together the events that led to the unexpected mark.

Max met El's concerned gaze and let out a sigh. "It's nothing, El. Just a little accident," she reassured, attempting to downplay the significance of the situation. However, El's eyes remained fixed on the bruise, her worry evident. "Are you sure? It looks pretty bad," she pressed, her voice tinged with concern. El's protective instincts were in full force as she sought assurance that Max was truly okay.

Josie tried to hold back more laughs as Max sighed. "It's fine, El. It'll go away in a week," Max reassured her. El hesitated, staring between Josie and Max before walking in between them, pouring herself a glass of water. Her mind pondered, wondering how this even happened. Josie did mention getting carried away. El decided to brush it off, heading back upstairs without questioning the rest, leaving the intriguing incident behind.

Josie burst into infectious laughter. "That was so funny!" she exclaimed, and Max couldn't help but playfully smack her shoulder. "Ugh," Max sighed, her focus shifting to Josie's wounded hand. ". . . We got into the moment; I need to stitch this," she stated, the gravity of the situation settling in. Max took Josie's hand, examining it closely with a mix of concern and determination.

Josie, with a playful pout, responded, "Aww, man."

Max and Josie went to sleep after stitching up Josie's wound. The brunette, with an itch in her head and a yawn escaping her lips, walked upstairs. Turning the corner, she found Will in the living room with a frown. "Hey, William," she greeted with a grin as Will looked up, responding with a weak smile. The exchange marked a shift in the atmosphere, and Max's presence brought a hint of familiarity to the room.

Josie, hands on her waist, raised an eyebrow, expressing curiosity and concern. "What's wrong?" she questioned, her attentive demeanor evident. Will began to share, and Josie, sensing the weight of his words, sat down beside him, offering a supportive presence.

"Mike and I got into a fight the other day," Will started, his voice carrying the echoes of the conflict. Josie listened intently, absorbing the details. "He and Lucas wouldn't play DnD with me, and I got pissed. I ran out; he followed me, and we got into an argument. He told me it wasn't his fault that I don't like girls after I told him all he wanted to do this summer is be with El," he explained, revealing the layers of tension and miscommunication that fueled their disagreement.

The surge of anger in Josie's chest was palpable. "What!? That little homophobic jerk! I've had about enough," she screeched, abruptly rising from the couch. Fueled by her frustration, Josie stormed upstairs with determination, her footsteps echoing the intensity of her emotions.

She flung Mike's door open with a forceful glare, fixing him with a deadly look. "What the actual fuck is wrong with you!" she screamed, her voice resonating with a mix of anger and disbelief. The room filled with the tension of the confrontation as Josie confronted Mike about his hurtful behavior.

He squealed, "Hey! I'm getting dressed here," yelling at her as she rolled her eyes. Ignoring his protest, Josie watched as he pulled his shirt over his head, drops of water scattering on the ground. "I don't fucking care, Mike! You just didn't have a shirt on," she shot at him, her frustration evident. Mike gave her an unamused look.

"What are you yelling at me about this time?" he breathed out, crossing his arms across his chest. His defensive stance hinted at his unpreparedness for the confrontation that had abruptly unfolded in his room.

She glared at him, her frustration boiling over. "You're so insufferable, Mike! What is up with you being homophobic towards Will!? So what. Maybe he doesn't like guys. But that does not mean you totally assume he doesn't just because he's so tired of you talking about Eleven! Eleven has a fucking life outside of you! Max and I finally got her to have a life outside of you. You just need to wait for her because you broke her. You treated her like garbage and wouldn't give her space," she ranted, each word carrying the weight of her disappointment and anger. The room was charged with the intensity of Josie's confrontation.

Mike rolled his eyes, dismissing Josie's attempt to make him understand. "You don't know how I feel. You can't just tell me what to do or how to feel," he snapped, his defensive stance revealing the depth of his emotional turmoil.

Josie, undeterred, tried to emphasize the issue. "Mike, did you just not hear what I said? You are being homophobic. It's not okay. This is why I left your party. You wouldn't accept me as being bisexual and being with Max!" she exclaimed, her frustration palpable.

Staring at her, Mike licked his lips, showing a moment of contemplation. "That's not why I kicked you out! El was back, and she needed her spot back. I don't need you or Max in the party. I have you — I mean, El," he stuttered, revealing a mix of confusion and a defensive attempt to justify his actions.

Josie furrowed her eyebrows. "Mike, do you like El or me?" she asked, crossing her arms as he looked at her reluctantly. "E — El," he stammered before looking down at his feet. Josie knew it. He still wasn't over her. Everything started to make sense, and it all became clear to her in that moment.

The pieces fell into place as Josie reflected on Mike's behavior – the jealousy towards her relationship with Max, the attempts to force himself to like El by constantly trying to kiss her, his absence from Josie's games to avoid potential complications, and the realization that he wasn't saving El last night; he was saving Josie right after Billy stabbed her.

The Cortez girl gasped, the revelation hitting her with full force. "Oh my god. It all makes sense! You wouldn't come to my games because you thought you would slip up and tell me you liked me while you were with El! And you weren't saving El last night; you were saving Max!" she rambled, her words forming a mosaic of realization as Mike looked down, guilty and unable to hide the truth.

"I guess . . ." he mumbled, staring at his feet, acknowledging the accuracy of Josie's deductions. El, standing outside Mike's room, listened intently. She had observed the dynamics between Max and Josie the previous night, and now, the unfolding revelations cast a new light on the complexities within their group.

Josie sighed, a mixture of empathy and firmness in her tone. "Mike . . ." she clicked her tongue, "you know, me and Max are still together, right? I love her. I only saw you as a friend last year, and I still do . . . I'm sorry, Mike. I'm sorry if I led you on in any way, but I'm with Max, and I love her," she conveyed, making it clear where her heart truly belonged.

Mike nodded glumly. "I know . . ." he trailed off, the weight of the realization sinking in. Josie uncrossed her arms. "I think you need to talk to El about this. She likes you still, and I don't want you to lead her on," she warned him before leaving Mike's room. Unbeknownst to Josie, El had been listening outside Mike's room, witnessing the intricate dynamics of their conversation and the tangled emotions within their group.

—

ash speaks!

first og chapter in a while!!
THAT INTENSE MAKE OUT SCENE?!
i'm so proud of myself🫶🏻
also, mike and josie resolving their
situation sorta!? just wait until s4,
i still have stuff in store for them mwhahah