A huge thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter and for the nice thoughts on my grandmother. Taking it one day at a time right now. So, I'm puttering away at this chapter and if I get it out sooner rather than later, then great :)
Also, I was going back through the last chapter and realized I accidently called Max, Lucas' girlfriend, she's supposed to be his fiance. So, slight screw up on my part. Sometimes my brain goes to the show itself and or I get writing too fast and don't go back and check.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
June 16th, 1993
Annoyance is still prickling in the back of his mind as he gently guides El back out into the main living area. He honestly can't believe that Dustin interrupted them again!
He seethes slightly in his own head. But, truthfully, he's not exactly sure why he's so perturbed.
Mike had literally spent years, basically his whole life avoiding any type of relationship with a girl because of his weird deep notion that he should wait, he needed to be patient and save everything for his soulmate.
Of course, his friends had teased him mercilessly throughout the years. Each of them reminding him of different factors.
Like, 'Dude, what if she's kissed or slept with someone?', or, 'You really want to be that inexperienced when you meet your soulmate?'. It was those stupid comments or remarks that continued to push Mike into believing deep down in his gut that he would maybe never find his soulmate. But then, there was always this nagging feeling even deeper, that felt even truer to him that told him it was okay to wait, that it was actually the right thing to do.
So, he followed that deep instinct and kept it intact.
Truthfully he believed his silly notion and belief in waiting to find his soulmate before he began any relationship came from watching his parents interact with one another.
No, not everyone found their soulmates, and never would. So many settled with the next best thing, and he knew that's what his parents had done. Sure they got along for the most part, however, as he and his siblings grew, he saw the tension increase and the lack of affection and love that was scantily seen between the two of them fade. It was almost as if they were merely existing with one another, comfortable in where they were in life.
As most do when they settle with their partner, Mike believed that they all had some kind of hope that their Anima would miraculously change one day. That the fear of not being with their soulmate was something they could just push to the back of their mind.
And it was exactly this thought that scared Mike the most: he didn't want to just settle.
Sure, there had been plenty of girls that caught his eye and interest throughout the years, but none of them sparked him the way he knew he would feel with his soulmate.
And now, a random girl literally came barrelling into his life and he's beginning to feel things he never has before, and it scares him.
No one knows how the whole soulmate thing is supposed to work. Like for Max and Lucas, they were friends for years, even dated for awhile before their Anima's had finally changed. It was all so peculiar to Mike.
But now, here was El, an amazing and beautiful woman who just happened to come into his life. Not just that, but they were similar in so many ways. He couldn't deny the initial attraction that he felt for her, but the raw feelings imbedded deeply into the way they looked at each other, the quick spark of electricity that was present each time they touched, it was so different, and it terrified Mike to no end.
They had almost kissed, twice! His brain reminds him. Two days ago, they were just beings existing in the world, not knowing that each other existed. Now here he was allowing her to stay in his home, connecting with her, and willing to throw out any of his silly notions of soulmates just to get to know El even more so.
Sure, he knew deep down that El could be his soulmate, but he also struggled with accepting the fact with how they met, so spontaneously. 'But isn't that how it's supposed to work?' the thought transverses his mind with ease.
But, before he can continue to argue with himself over the matter, a loud barking brings him back to reality.
"Dart, chill, I'm getting you some bacon" Dustin shakes his head at his Anima who is all but dancing on his four paws as Dustin had discovered his and El's remains of this morning's breakfast.
Mike rolls his eyes as he and El stand on the other side of his kitchen island watching Dustin pick at a cold piece of bacon and waving it in front of Dart, who barks once again.
"Stop teasing!" the shaggy haired Anima grows impatient when Dustin laughs and finally tosses him a piece, in which Dart snatches out of the air at lightning speed.
"Hmm, good bacon" Dart licks his chops nodding to Mike. El giggles beside him.
"You could have asked before helping yourself" Mike teased his curly haired friend who merely shrugs.
"Figured you guys were done with it, I mean it is cold" he says as he thoughtfully chews his own piece of bacon, but then raises his gaze to look between Mike and El, a playful grin spreading on his lips. Mike braces himself for Dustin's next words, knowing that it will be a remark towards him having a girl in his apartment.
"Why is it so cold anyways? Were you two too busy making out or something?" Dustin's smile grows even wider.
Mike's pretty sure he should spontaneously combust right now with how red his cheeks must be. His mouth drops open, and he can't help but turn to look at El, who is trying to hide her blossoming red face behind her hands, as she casually glances at Mike from the corner of her eyes.
Mike lets out a haughty sigh, "Dustin" he growls slowly, menacingly, but it only causes Dustin to point at the pair of them and laugh, "Oh my god, you totally were, weren't you!?" he bends over, placing his hands on his knees as his laughter continues.
He looks over at El again and sees that she is giving him an interesting look. One that almost says 'Is this really your friend?', as her face continues to flush.
He wants to say something to defend himself, but he doesn't want to reveal anything just yet. So, Mike finds himself with his mouth open, his jaw opening and closing, small noises coming out as he tries to defend himself and El.
But, thankfully a knocking is heard on the other side of his front door, a rush of relief washes over Mike as Dustin stops laughing, composing himself.
"I'll...just get that" Mike mutters as he moves from his spot and makes his way towards his apartment door.
Taking in a deep breath, knowing that opening the door and letting his friends in is about to open up a whole new can of worms, especially when they see El.
So, with a sweaty hand, Mike turns his door knob and pulls his door open.
He greets his friends with a warm smile, "Hey guys! Come on in!"
She had been mentally preparing herself for the last ten minutes trying to come to terms with the fact that in just a couple moments she was going to be meeting all of Mike's childhood friends. She was not expecting this arriving at his apartment a couple days ago.
But it seemed as if fate had other ideas.
El was barely coming to terms with the fact that something was growing rapidly between herself and Mike, and now she was pretty much getting thrown into his entire life. Not just that, but she was also worrying about Kali and the others in the back of her mind. All of it frightened her.
When Mike had announced that his friends would all be coming over, it was a big pill for her to swallow so quickly. But, the way Mike had reassured her that she didn't have to say anything to his friends calmed her nerves. From the way Mike described them, they seemed like good people.
'They could help too', Mike's words rang in her mind over and over again like ringing church bells. And it was the one thing she was grasping onto as she felt her breath increase in her chest as she walked out into the kitchen to meet Dustin.
She quickly realized that this man enjoyed teasing Mike relentlessly. She couldn't even fathom a time she had blushed so intensely in her life in the short time meeting the man.
His short jabs at hers and Mike's relationship were unexpected to her. However, it seemed that Mike had expected them the moment he walked through the door.
She could see after Dustin's comment about them making out, that, Mike seemed somewhat peeved at his words, but out of the corner of her eye as she watched him, she could see him looking at her in interest. Almost seeing what her reaction would be to Dustin's words.
They had almost kissed, twice, and to say she wasn't attracted to Mike would be an all out lie. But it wasn't just his crazy dark hair, or the way his freckles dotted his face perfectly, it was the deep caring heart that was delicately laid out on his sleeve for all to see.
She had never met a man who was so thoughtful and understanding as Mike, and she's pretty sure that, combined with his good looks is what was causing her to feel so overwhelmed by her new feelings.
So, she had given him an earnest look, trying to convey that what Dustin was saying was okay, that she wasn't bothered by them. Although, his laughing and teasing couldn't help her very red face.
It was almost a relief to dissipate the awkward tension that was now hanging between the two of them when there was a knock on Mike's door.
Now, El's attention was on the fact that she was about to meet three new people, and she wasn't sure if she was ready for all of this.
With wide eyes, El followed Mike's steady movements as he made his way to the door. She watched him take a deep breath and open the door, a smile appearing on his face as he gestured and welcomed his friends inside.
Three new people walked in through the door, accompanied by their Anima. They had yet to look into the kitchen just yet, so it allowed El a second to gauge Mike's friends.
The first person her eyes were drawn to was the redheaded woman. Her long cascading locks captured her face and looks in such a way, El felt a pang of slight jealousy. Her hair danced down to her mid back, and her stunning blue eyes made her light up the room. And El could tell by the way she held herself tall and strong that she was not someone to mess with.
The next person was a dark skinned man who placed a delicate hand on the redheaded women's back, as he guided her into Mike's apartment. His calm and cool demeanor seemed to be the exact opposite of the woman beside him.
Then finally, the last man, who was a bit shorter than Mike and his other male friends, greeted Mike with a quick hug. She could see that he had a warmth of kindness that emanated from him. His features still seemed a bit young compared to his friends, but the smile that spread across his face showed years of experience.
Mike was talking to the three as he lead them to the kitchen, and it only took a millisecond for each of them to halt all conversation and stare at her.
El froze in her seat, unsure as to what to do, never being in a situation like this before. Should she stand and greet them? Say 'hello'? Her mind reeled with a million possibilities, but it seemed the decision was made for her when she watched the redheaded woman smile brightly as she approached her.
"Wow, Dustin wasn't lying, you did have a girl in your apartment,'' her voice is cool, but reeming with tease as she casts a look to Mike whose face is red once again.
His head flicks quickly to Dustin, "Dude, you told them!?" he raises his arms in shock.
Dustin shrugs his shoulders, "I couldn't believe it, figured it'd be easier to let them know before they came to the apartment".
Mike stiffles a groan, as he closes his eyes tightly.
But, the woman erases the space between El and herself.
She stuck out her hand, "I'm Max, it's nice to meet you".
El can tell that the woman is being genuine in her greeting. The way her smile pulls meets her eyes, even if there is curiosity dancing behind them. So, El takes in a deep breath, a smile forming on her face as she reaches out her own hand, shaking Max's.
"It's nice to meet you" El says lightly, and the woman's smile widens.
"Wow, Mike, never knew you'd pick out such a beauty" Max teases turning back to look at Mike. El ducks her head shyly at the woman's words.
El's pretty sure that Mike would love to fade out of existence right now, as he groans again, but his other two male friends approach her as well.
"I'm Lucas" the dark skinned man holds out his hand stepping next to Max, and El reaches to shake his hand as well.
El watches as Max turns into the man's embrace, "Yeah, this stalker is my soon to be husband,'' she wiggles her eyebrows to the man, who scoffs slightly, but the smile never leaves his face, especially when Max stands on her tiptoes to plant a light kiss on his cheek.
She feels her heart swoon at the twos interactions. And she's even more surprised to see there two Anima's who have jumped up onto the counter.
"Oh!" El can't help but jump slightly noticing that the two beings are exactly the same. Both humans reach out to touch them.
"Don't forget us" the smaller of the two says gently, as she presses into Max's hand.
Max sighs rolling her eyes, "We won't" she says as she holds out her arm for her red panda Anima to climb onto her shoulders.
Max pats her companion lightly, "This is Zelda, named after one of my favorite video game franchises" her Anima rubs her face against hers.
Lucas stands near his Anima, "And this is Nam" he pats his larger Anima.
El's smile widens as she takes in the Anima's and their humans.
"You're soulmates" her voice is soft, a breath of air hanging from her words.
Both Max and Lucas nod, "Yeah, we were kind of surprised too" he shrugs.
"I've...I've never really met a couple who found their soulmates" El states in awe.
Max shrugs, "You rarely do, I mean, Lucas and I dated for awhile and one day, well-" she gestures between the two Anima's.
El is still in amazement and meeting an actual couple who had found their soulmates. It was a deep desire within her to find her own. She had never dated anyone, let alone she had never experienced her first kiss even. Her heart soared in seeing two beings who had actually found the other half of their soul.
She couldn't help but peek a glance at Mike, and she was surprised to see his expression as the two stood by one another.
Was it longing? She watched as his shoulders sagged almost in defeat, and a wistful look crossed his face. El's heart sank in her chest as his expression, she wanted to reach out, to gently reassure him, but she was pulled from her thoughts when Mike's last friend moved in beside Max and Lucas.
"Guess I'm last, the name's Will and this is Elvie" Will then stuck out his hand in greeting which El returned with a smile. She then glanced over Will's shoulder to see a small koala clinging to Will's back, she 'awed' out loud at the adorable creature.
Will chuckled at this, "Sorry he's not awake, he tends to sleep most of the time" he rolls his eyes.
El giggles slightly, and she then feels a movement by her feet. She looks down to see her own Anima rubbing up against her legs, the fox's amber eyes look up to her as to say, 'Don't forget me'.
El gestures down to her fox, Lucas, Max and Will's eyes follow, "And this is my Anima, Veda" she says.
"It's nice to meet all of you" Veda bows her head slightly in introduction.
Max bends to look at her Anima, "Wow, she's beautiful El" she says standing to her feet, and El can't help but see the coy look she flashes to Mike as she says her next words, "Just like you El, right Mike?"
And El has to hold back her laughter slightly as Mike gives the woman an expression that is mixed between annoyance and disbelief.
Mike then turns quickly to look at her, and he begins opening and closing his mouth like a fish gasping for breath.
"I uhm...of course...I mean, yes...yes El is pretty, beautiful, even, but I uh…" his words are quick and fumbling and now El can't help but giggle lightly, her face flushed at his words.
He shuffles uncertainty on his long legs, his eyes never leaving hers. She gives him a soft, knowing expression, hoping she's relaying the right meaning. And it seems she does, because his shoulders finally relaxed and he gives her his dopey, half smile and she all but melts right there.
She moves her eyes just slightly, and they are immediately caught by Max's deep blue ones, she's giving her a knowing grin as she flicks her eyes between El and Mike. El ducks her head from further embarrassment.
"So, El-" Max teases lightly as she leans against Mike's kitchen island, "What brings you to our lanky friends place anyways?"
"Yeah, I'm kind of curious about that too, I thought we were coming over here to help you and Dustin with that toy or something?" Will turns to Mike with a questioning look. "It's not like you to have a girl over".
Mike glares at Will's comment.
There's a pregnant silence that falls before them, El looks up and moves her head from each of Mike's friends to the next, unsure as to what to say.
"Were you on a date or something?" Lucas breaks the silence as he leans one of his elbows next to Max on the island.
"Uh...no, no...it's nothing like that!" Mike's voice is a bit higher than normal, and there's a slight pang of sadness that rings in El's chest as she looks up towards Mike.
He finds her eyes, as his widen in shock at his own words, "Uh, not that I wouldn't want to go on a date with El, I just mean...uhm" and the words die on his tongue and then he just huffs, burying his hands into his face, "You guys are just trying to make me die of embarrassment, aren't you?"
His friends laughter rings out in Mike's small kitchen. And the noise is something El has never really experienced. She marvels at the unfamiliar noise, the warm feeling that surrounds the group of friends, it's all surreal.
"Mike, you've got to learn to take a joke every once in awhile," Lucas pats Mike roughly, causing Mike to let out a breath of air.
"Well, you guys need to learn to not make fun of me every five seconds!" Mike bites back, but it only causes more laughter from the others.
"You do realize that it is a bit odd for you to have a woman in your apartment right?" Dustin states plainly, gesturing to El.
She can't help but frown. "I am right here ya know" she lifts one of her eyebrows to the curly haired man who merely shrugs.
"You've got to know that Mike here has sworn off of girls until he finds the one", Dustin uses air quotations on the last two words, all while popping another piece of cold bacon into his mouth.
This...this is something she did not know about her rescuer. She turns to the man in question and he gives her a forlorn look.
To El, Mike is a man of any girls dreams, or at least her own, she believes.
Sure, he might be kind of nerdy, and a bit on the taller side. But, the adorable freckles that dot his face perfectly, along with his dark sweeping hair, and his intense eyes, El can't help but be enamored by this man. And it wasn't even just his looks alone that El marveled at, for his kind and tender heart and the way he was always looking out for her caused her to swoon unsteady on her feet.
But, Dustin's sudden proclamation at what appeared to be a secret of Mike's caught her interest. 'He has never been with anyone', her heart and mind sing happily. She can't help the giddiness that grows within her. For, it's another factor they have in common with one another.
"You know Dustin, you don't have to go around proclaiming my life to the world" Mike grumbles to his friend, who merely shrugged in return.
It doesn't take El long to notice that the attention is all on her once again. Her eyes have moved about the room and she catches the quick glances Mike's friends are giving her as they try to not focus their gazes directly on her. They fail miserably however.
It's then that El realizes that they are getting nowhere, fast. That this night is just going to drag on with endless teases and remarks thrown at herself and Mike until his friends understand the exact reason as to why she is in Mike's apartment.
So, taking a deep breath El straightens her back and clears her throat a bit louder than usual. It doesn't surprise her when the room falls silent, and now everyone's eyes are focused directly on her.
She takes a last casual glance at Mike who gives her a curious look, but she just nods slowly, his eyes widen in realization.
"Uhm, so I know you are all wondering why in the world I'm in Mike's apartment" she tries to keep her voice light and somewhat teasing.
Mike's friends all nod eagerly.
El sighs, "Well, I'd be happy to tell you all how we met, and what's going on, but…" and here she hesitates, her confident demeanor dropping quickly as she glances down at her hands in her lap that are once again playing with the hemline of her shirt.
She swallows before continuing, not looking up just yet, "But...I need to trust all of you with what I'm going to share".
The room is silent for a bit, and El risks the chance of peeking up slightly. The friends are all exchanging looks with one another, and their solemn expressions worry her slightly.
But then, smiles break on each of their faces.
Will's the one to speak for them all, "Of course El, any friend of Mike is a friend of ours. You trust him, which means you can trust us as well".
El lets out a sigh of relief, a gentle smile pulling on her own face as she nods and whispers a small "Thanks" to the group.
Mike moves slowly towards her, a look of acknowledgement painted on his face. He places a gentle hand on her back. "Why don't we move to the living room, it's quite the story" he then nods towards his living room.
The friends then all begin to shuffle out of Mike's small kitchen as they putter into the living room. El goes to stand from the stool she had been occupying, but Mike's gentle grip on her forearm stops her.
She turns to look up at him, she still can't get over his height. He bends down to whisper to her, "You sure you're okay with this?" his voice is full of anticipation.
El takes in a steadying breath, and looks to meet his rich eyes. She can see the uncertainty dancing within them, but, from what he's said, she knows she can trust him, and his friends.
She moves her head slowly up and down, "Yeah, I'm sure, I know I just met them a handful of minutes ago, but...I think I'm okay with trusting them if you are".
Mike's face lights up at this, "You definitely can, trust me, if they can keep my secret for all these years, they'll keep yours".
El marvels at Mike's genuineness, and she gifts him a soft smile. She's suddenly surprised when his hand moves down her arm and grips her hand, he gives it a tight squeeze, a reassurance.
"Ready?" he asks.
El nods determidly, "Ready", and Mike guides them over to the living, hand in hand, as they sit on his remaining love seat together.
Mike's pretty sure he can hear his heart pounding in the cusp of his ear, it's the only steady sound that he can focus on in this moment. Currently he's holding onto El's hand as he one again guides her into his living room.
He's not exactly sure why his heart is beating wildly, but he can only imagine it's either because El's about to tell her entire story to his oldest friends, or that El has wrapped her hand within his, and it's dangerously intoxicating to him.
They both sit cozily next to one another and as they sit, their hands break apart slowly. There's a slight twinge in Mike's heart as El's hand leaves his, but he also knows that if they continue to hold them, his friends are only going to start up again.
Everyone settles. Lucas, Max and Will sit on Mike's larger couch, while Dustin sits on the floor, one legged kicked out, relaxed.
Their attention is all on them, and Mike turns a bit to face El. He sees her face blanche as she takes in the eyes that are now on her.
He can see she doesn't know where to start.
And before he can give her some encouragement, Dustin speaks, "So, how did you guys meet?" he gestures between the two of them.
This seems to relax El slightly as she gives a light laugh, she turns to look at him, and his heart race quickes when he sees her gaze, it's light and teasing, "Well", she says a smirk dancing across her face, "We literally ran into one another".
Mike watches as his friends faces crinkle into confusion.
"Wait you mean-" Will starts, and Mike jumps in, "Yeah, we or I should say El" and at this he can't help but give the girl beside him a playful nudge, "Nearly took me out the other night".
At this Max laughs, "Wow, I guess it doesn't take much to knock you down string bean".
Mike glares at this, but El giggles, "Well, you can say it was an accident, I actually collided with Pitch, which caused a slew of events to happen".
"Collided!?" Everyone's heads now flick over to Pitch who sits by the other Anima's. He stands and shakes his burly head, laughing lightly, "She practically catapulted over me, and kneed me right in the gut".
"Pitch" Mike throws his Anima a look, which is returned with an eye roll.
"No, he's right, I totally took him out" El shrugs beside him.
Mike turns to see that El is giving him a look that reads, 'don't worry about it'. Mike softens.
"And, why were you running anyways?" this time Lucas' voice breaks through.
At this, El stiffens as she tucks her lips inwards, contemplating her next words.
She shifts uneasily in her seat, his friends wait patiently for her to continue. Eventually, she raises her head.
"I was running from...bad men" her voice is barely above a whisper.
Mike watches as Max shakes her head a bit and leans forward, "Wait...did you just say, bad men?"
El lifts her gaze to meet Max, and she nods slowly, "Yes, bad men" she repeats, a silence falls on them.
"Okay, you can't just leave us hanging like that" Lucas stutters.
Mike throws him a look, but it goes ignored.
El huffs, "It's...complicated, my group and I were being attacked by a group of men who have been searching for my sister and I for years".
"Where did you live?" Will asks.
"In an abandoned warehouse, my sister, Kali, and I lived there with a couple other people".
"Woah, wait you were...homeless?" Dustin winces slightly at his last word.
El shakes her head, "No...I mean, not technically, I mean, it was a roof over our heads. We had a place to sleep, food, clothes, we just didn't live like everyone else".
There's a pause.
"So, what's that supposed to mean?" Max shakes her head, her eyes narrowing at El slightly.
Mike can't help but shift in his seat, trying to move closer to El without drawing much attention.
"It means...we stole, we robbed, we...we did what was necessary to survive" El's voice is tight.
"How did you never get caught if you've been doing it for years?" Dustin chimes in.
This is where a half smile pulls on El's lips, "And that's exactly the reason why my sister and I have been trying to be tracked down by the bad men."
"What's so special about you guys?" Lucas questions leaning back in his seat.
This is where El finally flicks her eyes over to Mike's, their eyes meet, and he knows this is going to change a lot of things, so he decides to step in.
"You see, after El fell, she got hurt", Mike starts not taking his eyes off of El, "She couldn't run, so I had to help her".
"Wait, wait, wait, you're interrupting-" Dustin tries to cut in, but Mike overshadows him, turning towards his friends.
"We were only a couple of blocks away from my place, so I brought her here, where she was safe. Where I could-" and he stops short as his friends look at him in shock, knowing where he is going with this.
"Mike, don't tell me you-" Dustin then makes out some weird gestures, that Mike knows are supposed to signify him healing. Mike rolls his eyes, "Yes Dustin, there was nothing else I could do" he explained.
"Why not call an ambulance, go to the hospital?" Max questions.
"No hospitals, can't go there" El shakes her head.
Mike nods, "She was scared, I was scared, and...I don't know I just knew I could trust her" he shrugged as he watched El.
He lets out a quick puff of air, "And then, once I was done...she had this look like she couldn't believe what just happened".
"Well, no duh, we had that same reaction too!" Lucas states, "Is that why you kept her here? Because she threatened to spill your secret or-"
"No!" El's voice startled the group in Mike's living room. Mike turned quickly to look at the girl beside him who was glaring daggers at his oldest friend.
Lucas holds up his hands in defense, "Uh, woah, sorry, guess I-" but El cut him off, "I would never betray Mike like that, especially since...since he was like me," her voice teeters off.
At this, all eyes are on him, waiting for Mike to explain.
"Wait, like Mike, do you mean?" Will's gentle voice breaks through the silence.
It takes her a minute, but El finally nods, "Yes...I have powers...just like Mike".
The others gawk at her for a moment.
Dustin moves back even more so letting out a low whistling noise as he ruffles his curly hair.
"This is crazy! We never knew there would be others like Mike!" Lucas exclaims.
"Well, it was just because we had never actually met another person like Mike, it didn't mean they weren't out there" Will reasons.
"Yeah but, what are the chances that another person with powers literally runs into Mike, it's just weird" Dustin rationalizes.
Mike shrugs at this, "Either way, El is like me, and I promised that I would help her".
He casts another casual glance in her direction, and he can see a smile dancing across her lips. His heart swelled tremendously at the sight.
"So, El, what are your powers?" Dustin eagerly sits forward once again, his eyes wide like a child on Christmas morning.
Mike can't help but keep his gaze on the girl beside him. Sure, she had told him about her powers, but she hadn't shown him yet, and to be honest, he was curious.
"It's, uhm...telekinesis" her voice is quiet.
"Woah, like Jean Grey?" Dustin asks even more excited, he's now leaning forward on his hands onto his knees.
El blinks slowly, not knowing Dustin's reference.
"Uh…" she stammers, and then glances at Mike, her eyes pleading for help.
Mike flashes her a quick smile before turning back to his friend, "She doesn't know who that is Dustin, she-" but before he can finish Dustin sits up on his knees quickly, "You don't know who Jean Grey is? What about the X-Men? I mean, you and Mike were practically born to be apart of their group!" he stresses.
El startles and moves back further into her seat, Mike jumps in, "Dustin, chill, there's a lot you don't understand".
Dustin furrows his eyebrows, "What do you mean by that?"
Mike flusters as he tries to catch his words, but El speaks before him, "I didn't have a normal upbringing, I was raised in a lab, with my sister Kali".
Once again, all eyes are on El, as everyone's mouths hang open in shock.
"A lab?" Will's voice is full of concern.
El nods, she then goes into detail about how her mom too had some kind of powers, in which she inherited. She explained how she was born in the lab and taken and raised to be used as a weapon, she had no idea about the outside world until a handful of years ago. Mike notices she doesn't go into extreme details as she did with him in talking about the abuse she went through.
After El finishes her story, Mike looks over his friends who seem to be soaking in everything they've just heard.
"A weapon...raised in a lab? Who does that?" Dustin shakes his head wildly.
"Exactly, all they saw El and her sister as was to be used, that's why they escaped" Mike finished.
"But, how did they find you here? I mean, you and your sister had been gone for years" Max laments.
At this El shrugs and mutters, "I don't know".
Mike watches El as she ponders this thought in her own head. Almost asking how did her captor find them?
He reaches over and squeezes El hand, she looks to him and gives him a soft smile in return.
"Look, what matters now is that El is still being hunted down by these men, and they have her sister. She needs our help" Mike states plainly.
His friends look at each other, all of them able to silently communicate with one another after almost two decades of friendship.
Will's the first to turn to them, "Of course, we will do anything to help, I mean, that's what friends are for."
El perks up at this, "Friends?" her voice uncertain.
Mike's friends nod eagerly. "Of course, any friend of Mike, is a friend of ours" Max smiles to El.
"Yeah, I mean, who would have thought that we'd have two friends who have super powers!" Dustin exclaims excitedly.
Mike tries to step in, "Dustin, would you-" but he's cut off by the curly haired man who sits up quickly once again, "Wait, El, can we see your powers?" he asks curiously.
Again, Mike is intrigued by this notion, he turns his head quickly to look at the girl with whom he still holds her hand.
She nods slowly. Mike's not sure what she's doing, but a switch seems to turn on in her, as she closes her eyes and opens them with a steely fixation on his coffee table.
His eyes widen in amazement as it begins to float in the air effortlessly. Everyone gasps in surprise, as they all sit back as the table teeters in the air, but then does a quick spin, and then lands back down on his carpet as if it were made of a feather.
Mike's mouth is open in shock, his gaze falls on El who is already looking at him. A small trail of blood trickles from her nose. A smile pulls at his face, "That's...that's incredible" he half breathes, half laughs in shock.
El bashfully tries to not meet his eyes as she wipes away the blood that trickles from her nose. "It's not as amazing as yours though".
Mike guaffs at her words, "What do you mean!? You can use your powers all on your own, I have to have Pitch by my side in order to use mine".
"But you heal", her words are genuine as she looks at him straight into his eyes.
He's not exactly sure what the hidden meaning behind her words, but there's something there.
"Wow El!" Dustin shakes the two out of their little moment. "That was so cool!"
El flushes at his words. "Thanks. It's not much, I can do other things to" she shrugs as if it's not a big deal.
"What other things?" Will now asks, a hint of excitement in his voice.
"Uhm...I can go into this...void and find people, listen to them without them knowing I'm there" she explains.
"Like, a spy?" Dustin asks.
El ponders this a bit before answering, "I guess. I mean, that's what the men in the lab liked to use me for anyways".
Mike sees the frown forming on her face. He can tell that she's thinking about her time there, and his heart breaks for her.
"Well, whatever the reason, or whatever powers you do have, we promise we will help you get your sister back", Mike states a bit more boldly then he had intended to.
El lifts her head to look him in the eyes, "Really?"
Mike nods at her, "Definitely, it's like Will said, that's what friends are for...right?" he flashes her a brilliant smile.
He can't help but be enamored by the flush that decorates her face with his words, "Right" she whispers back, returning the smile.
A moment passes between them, and it's only the clearing of Max's throat do either of them break eye contact with one another.
Max is giving Mike a knowing look, "Alright, we get that there's some special connection between the two of you, but you don't have to do it in front of us," she teases.
Yeah, Mike's pretty sure his friends are trying to make him die of embarrassment as his face lights up once again. And to avoid any other pokes and prods at him and El, Mike stands quickly to his feet.
"Uh, it's starting to get late, why don't I order some pizza and we can discuss this further?" he looks at his friends who all nod eagerly.
"Pizza sounds great! I'm starving!" Dustin whines holding his stomach dramatically.
Lucas swats at Dustin's head as he moves to stand, "Don't be such a whine ass, you just had some bacon" he reminds him.
Dustin stands to his feet as he and Lucas continue to argue.
Mike rolls his eyes as he moves to the kitchen where his phone sits.
Just as he grabs it though, a hand on his shoulder startles him.
"Jesus, Max, you don't have to-" he starts to go off on the redhead, but she holds a hand up to his mouth to silence him.
"You've got it bad Wheeler" she says through a low voice.
Mike crinkles his face, "What are you talking about Mayfield?" he slumps his shoulders.
Max dramatically rolls her eyes, she pulls on Mike's shoulders, causing their heads to come together, faced away from their group of friends.
"I'm talking about El, numb nuts. You can't take your eyes off of her" she whispers harshly, and Mike pulls away from her grasp.
He shakes his head, "What are you talking about Max, I just met her a couple of days ago", is what he says, but then his traitorous inner voice takes over, 'Yeah, and you almost didn't kiss her, twice!"
He pushes the thought away, focusing back onto Max.
She lets out an annoyed huff, "You're so hopeless and it's not even funny,'' she waves her hand dramatically in the air.
"I'm not hopeless" Mike deadpans, truly getting sick of his friends getting on his case about dating.
"You're definitely blind then. You're so concerned about this whole 'soulmate' thing, that it's letting you pass up on something, or I should say, someone that's right in front of you!" Max's voice begins to rise.
Mike's eyes flash over to his group of friends behind Max. Dustin and Lucas are still bickering quite loudly, and Will has moved to sit beside El, in his vacated seat. Will seems to be enthused about something, all while El seems to be ducking her head in bashfulness. But, Max's sudden rise in voice didn't seem to be noticed.
"Will you keep your voice down!" Mike whispers harshly.
"Will you actually go out with someone who's interested in you?" Max bites back.
"Max. El has been through a lot in the last few days, hell, her whole life has been a nightmare! I'm not going to be asking her out anytime soon," he growls at Max as he turns to his phone, trying to signal to the redhead that he's done with the conversation.
But, a gasp comes from Max that distracts him. Mike throws his arms down to his side and glares at the girl, "What is it!?" he all but bellows to her.
There's a knowing smile creeping onto her face, and Max is all but dancing on her feet, "So, does that mean you will ask her out, after we find her sister or whatever?"
Mike blanches, as he just realizes his poor choice of words, he holds up his hands waving them before her, "Oh, no, no, no, that's not what I meant".
But Max has him as she points an accusatory finger in his direction, "Oh, but you totally did, you like her, a lot!" she drawls.
Mike's just about had it, and his mouth begins to run before his brain can comprehend what he's even saying, "Look, just because El's pretty, and sweet and kind in many different ways, doesn't mean I like her! And it doesn't matter that just because I'm helping her out of her shitty situation, doesn't mean she likes me!" Mike growls low to the girl.
Max doesn't back down though, "I can't believe you can't see the way she looks at you though, she's like a love sick puppy".
Mike rolls his eyes, "Yeah, maybe because I'm one of the few human beings in this world who has treated her with respect".
"That doesn't mean anything, it's the way she looks at you a-" but Mike cuts her off, his anger getting the better of him, "Look, just drop it okay, it's none of your business with whatever does happen between us".
"So there will be something?" Max continues to tease.
"Just because we almost-!" Mike's voice raises and octave and he quickly glances once again to his friends, this time, Will has seemed to notice, but not the others, Mike huffs and turns his attention back to his phone.
"Almost...what?" Max asks eagerly, coming closer to him.
"Nothing, it's nothing" he shakes his head as he begins to type in the local pizza shop's number, desperately trying to avoid Max's gaze.
When he raises the phone up to his ear, it begins to ring and Max is still giving him an 'I don't believe you gaze'. But, she finally sighed in defeat, but not before pointing a finger into his face, "Alright Wheeler, you win this time, but mark my words, I won't let you screw this up," and with that, she finally leaves him with one last look.
Mike sighs to himself as he watches Max rejoin their group of friends. His eyes can't help but move upwards, his sight landing on El, and he sees that she's already looking at him. She gives him a gentle look and a soft smile, a weird panging in his chest almost causes him to choke when their eyes meet.
He gives her a dopey smile in return and she flashes her teeth at him, her cheeks tingeing red.
Mike could have stayed like that forever if there wasn't an incessant voice in his ear yelling, "Hello, helloooo, is anyone there?"
His attention is finally brought back to his task at hand, "Uh yeah, hi, I'd like to order some pizzas" Mike stutters as he half places an order and half looks at El who is smiling and laughing with his friends. It's one of the most beautiful sights he's ever seen.
And it suddenly hits him: Max is right, and he's a total goner.
Well, I got that chapter done sooner than I was expecting. It's been slow at my job so I've had some down time and have been able to add to this here and there. Thankfully my Nan is doing pretty good right now, which is always a bright light.
Anyways, what do you guys think? I really liked writing the end part with Max and Mike, that was fun. And I can't wait to get into more stuff with Mileven, but have to work my way there.
And as always, REVIEWS are GREATLY appreciated! Thank you all for reading and for your patience!
