Lucas' Path
Disclaimer: Came up with this out of a desire to see more Lucas centered content and ignores season 4 for the most part.
"So you're really gonna do it?" Questioned Max softly to her boyfriend in his bed at the thankfully empty Sinclair home.
Her clad in nothing but one of Lucas' jerseys with himself in only a pair of boxers. Lucas looked towards his girlfriend and nodded. "Yeah, I've always been the Ranger and it just makes sense to me that I'd join the 75th." After going through Basic Training that is of course.
Max nodded with a sigh, not necessarily liking the idea but seeing how this meant a lot to the guy who has her heart. Even if there had been distance between them for a lot of their time in High School. Partly due to her grief and guilt where Billy was concerned, the move to the trailer park after Niel took off, and her just trying to deal with it all herself and not wanting anyone around while wishing like crazy El never had left with the Byers. Lucas himself hadn't ever stopped trying to be there for her even when he was busy figuring his own shit out. He, Dustin, and Mike had wanted things to be different when they got into High School but out of the trio, only he himself had actually made it want to happen due to how tired he'd been of how he was treated by others. Which was something he still had to deal with to this day unfortunately. Lucas started out with Cross Country to test the waters so to speak while also joining up with the Hellfire Club and when the time came for Winter Sports, he decided to try his hand at Wrestling after realizing the Basketball Coach only really wanted him on the team just because he's Black and he didn't like that.
Lucas' desire to move beyond just being part of the Nerds/Outcasts to avoid further bullying and discrimination had long been a point of contention that ultimately had splintered his friendships with Mike and Dustin for a time for one reason or another as neither could fully understand where he was coming from. He would even try his hand at dating here and there but he'd always find himself coming back in Max's direction, something girls really didn't like much of for that matter. He'd later try out for the Baseball team once Spring rolled around and over the years in High School would try his hand at other Sports that the School had to offer while he and Max slowly gravitated back to one another. Interestingly enough, around the start of Senior year, a fight started by Troy and his bunch of Bullies is what would see the return of the Party after putting Troy and his bunch on their asses. And as Senior year went on and his and Max's relationship strengthened, along with the bonds between himself, Mike, and Dustin did as well while the ones with El and Will hadn't ever lessened as much despite the distance, he'd learn of the 75th Ranger Regiment and find the idea of joining it more and more appealing. Needless to say, those who knew him had been shocked when he announced his plans for after High School.
Shocked but ultimately supportive once they came around to it despite some reservations here and there. Though for Max, it had taken a few days for her to get her head wrapped around it, culminating in the luck of her and Lucas having his home to themselves for awhile. "Just… Be careful, okay? I don't know what I'd do if I lost you." Max told him as she looked him in the eyes.
For she knew the kind of life he wants for himself is one that could ultimately take him from her and it scared her. "Hey, I will always make it my mission to get back to you." He told her softly before kissing her and the two becoming wrapped up in one another once more.
He could only hope though that her intentions to become a Pro-Skater back in Cali would be enough to keep her mind occupied. And once the time came for him to enlist and successfully complete Basic Training, he'd make his bid for the 75th Ranger Regiment and while it was hard as could be on him to the point he almost lost faith in his choices a time or two, Lucas would ultimately succeed. He'd even be singled out by one LT. Colonel Jack Sullivan as the man knew Lucas had familiarity with certain kinds of dangers and thought he'd be perfect to have on his side because of that familiarity. Something he'd be proven right on when the Upside Down came creeping around again thanks in part by those who should've left well enough alone and ultimately, Lucas would always hold true to his promise to Max the best he could. Even proposing to Max and starting a family with her despite still being with the Rangers and Sullivan's Unit until he eventually retired from Service to focus on Max, their family, and their long time friends.
Author's Notes: Hope folks enjoyed! I didn't necessarily care for Sullivan's antagonism in S4 so I decided to make that less of a thing.