NOTE: My writing is a bit dusty, but I am trying to get back into the swing of things with some small one-shots. So I hope you guys enjoy this addition.

"Hey, can I ask a favor?"

Max looked up at the latest comic book she was reading to her sister. Slightly perturbed by the interruption.

She found herself leaning towards DC these days than Marvel. Lucas, her doofus boyfriend, had recommended the DC comics she should read. He was slowly winning some brownie points after he threw up on her new Vans when her sister picked him up after he got drunk at a party with his loser friends from the basketball team.

"Depends," Max replied coolly.

Jensen threw her a pointed look as she stepped further into her room. Max thought it would be weird having a sister. She had already felt betrayed when her mother informed her of her new boyfriend after her father passed away. She couldn't fathom the idea of her mom already moving on to someone that wasn't her dad. Max had been angry and confused at the idea of her mom replacing her dad. Then she was told she may be getting a new sister. It embarrassed Max with how she treated Derek and Jensen, especially Derek. It took her a while to realize he had no intention of replacing her dad or even being her dad.

He just wanted to be her friend and a support system. And now, she did consider him a dad. She learned she could have more than one dad. Her mom was happy with Derek more than she ever saw with her own father, Max realized. She also knew just because Derek has become a father to her she wasn't replacing her dad. He would want her to be happy and know someone loved her as if she was their own flesh and blood. Besides, it got her a sister too.

It helped with the transition and blending of families that she and Jensen did hold common interests from skateboarding, comics, and movies.

"So Keith at the arcade is being an ass and you know Eddie has that Metallica concert coming up," Jensen began, "Do you think you could go with him?"

Max looked at her sister as if she was insane. Go to a Metallica concert out of her own free will. She got a headache at the thought of Eddie pressing play on his stereo as he listened to their albums. She did know how Wayne dealt with it.

It wasn't as if she didn't like Eddie. He drove like a maniac and didn't know the meaning of sitting still. It was just he was her sister's boyfriend and it immediately made him annoying most days.

"Why can't he go himself? He's a big boy?" Max asked. She didn't think Eddie would want to be in charge of babysitting her when he could be having a blast jamming out to his headache-inducing music. Or he could take Dustin or Steve. Somebody else. She's pretty sure Jonathon wouldn't mind going.

"Because I want him to have fun. He's been so excited and I don't want him to go alone."

"So you think he is going to have fun with me?" Max asked for clarification. It wasn't as if she and Eddie needed any more bonding time together. They both did their respective jobs in annoying the shit out of each other for the sake of things.

"He would love it especially since I can't go," Jensen told her. Max looked at her sister skeptically especially as she did her puppy dog eyes and pouty lip. She was going in for the kill. "Besides, I already asked Mom and Dad and they said it was cool and you can skip school on Wednesday."

Say no more, Max was sold.

After the nausea-inducing goodbyes Max was forced to see between her sister and Eddie, the two had begun the journey to Indianapolis. They were acting like he was being deployed and wouldn't see each other for months.

She had teased Eddie for actually driving the speed limit for once.

He rolled his eyes as he popped in a Metallica cassette tape to get them amped for the concert. If Eddie was bummed Jensen couldn't come to the concert with him he didn't show it. She was given the biography of Metallica. If Eddie had given this much attention in school he wouldn't be repeating his senior year. Although, Max had a theory that Eddie only failed last year to graduate with Jensen. The things boys did when they were in love.

Max lowered the volume of Eddie's stereo causing him to look sharply at her.

"So, you and my sister…" Max trailed off.

She wasn't sure exactly what she wanted to ask. It was a running joke among everyone about how long it took for Jensen and Eddie to get together. It was clear Eddie was head over heels in love with Jensen since they met at that summer camp. He was like a little puppy. She was used to Eddie always being over their place and craving Jensen's time and attention. Needy was the word Max had thrown around multiple times. She was used to Eddie being that brother she never wanted. Someone who at a certain point should have just moved into their house.

But despite all that, she did like Eddie. He was amusing and it was clear he cared not just for Jensen, but everyone in their family. Eddie didn't have to give her rides to the mall or the Arcade, but he did with no complaints. He would pick up some new comics for her or even a new music cassette despite him having limited money himself.

But all that was before he and Jensen got together officially. It wasn't as if things just changed drastically. Mostly, everything was the same. But it was different. Max didn't know how to put her finger on it. Maybe, she was scared things could become different.

"What?" Eddie asked as she trailed off.

"Everything good in paradise?"

Eddie's brows scrunched together. "Why wouldn't they be?"

Max shrugged. "I think it's weird that you two never fight."

Eddie snorted. "We're not 12."

Max frowned. "I'm not saying that…it's just -"

A wicked smile spread across his face. "What? We're not breaking up every 12 seconds like you and Lucas?"

"Hey!" Max shouted affronted.

"What?" Eddie said with a chuckle. "It's true. Max, you broke up with him for saying you had a zit on your forehead."

Max exhaled a harsh breath through her nose. "Lucas does say some pretty stupid things." She pointed out.

She really liked Lucas. He was funny, charming, protective, sweet, and just caring. Their relationship wasn't like El and Mike's, which was just so consuming and exhausting. Lucas was her friend first. They could hang out and explore their interests in media. They had things they would do together that weren't just kissing. Lucas didn't treat her like some object. There was just genuine affection. She liked how they could be in the same room devouring comics and its enough with them.

Yet, sometimes, Lucas just made her feel so many things. He would say something stupid like pointing out the zit on her forehead leaving her no chance but to dump his ass for the time being.

"And those stupid things win you back every time, huh?" Eddie teased.

"Shut up!"

"Hey, you brought it up," Eddie countered. "Besides, people do and say stupid things when they are in love."

"So you're in love with my sister?"

"Do you love Lucas?"

Max cranked the volume up higher on the radio.

The venue was packed. Eddie had haphazardly found them a parking spot at the venue. Yet, Max was amazed at how many people simply were there. It was weird seeing so many people dressing so similarly to Eddie. She already knew Hawkins was like living in a bubble so she knew most of the residents would have a stroke seeing all these people dressed so differently. When it is really just them wearing band shirts and the men just have long hair. She could only imagine if Hawkins got a crowd of Goths.

"Hey, Red, you make sure you stick close alright," Eddie said as he rounded his van. She could get lost in the crowd. It honestly seemed she could be the youngest one there.

Max nodded as Eddie lead her to get their wristbands. Somehow, he had been able to get floor seats. They entered the venue and Max took in everything. This was after all her first concert. With Eddie's hand on her shoulder, he led her over to the merchandise tent.

"You want anything?" He asked as they stood in line.

She flushed. "Oh, I didn't bring any money."

Eddie stared at her and shook his head. "You can get what you like. Just need to help me pick out a shirt for Jen. Think we should get matching ones?"

Max rolled her eyes. Sometimes it amazed her how Eddie got a reputation for being mean and scary. Or her favorite, the conduit of the devil. He was nothing but a giant Teddy Bear wanting to wear matching outfits with his girlfriend. "I think you should just get two shirts of what you like. You know Jensen is going to just wear what you bought along with what you get her."

Eddie pursed his lips in thought at her suggestion before eventually nodding his head. Max decided on a shirt that was different from the two Eddie got. She wasn't matching those two. She even asked if Eddie could get a hat for Lucas. He rolled his eyes but paid for it without any verbal complaint. He stuffed the shirts in the small bookbag she brought and slapped the hat on her head, which earned him a glare.

Next, he led her over to the concession stands. He mumbled something about getting some water and maybe food. The building was getting increasingly packed. A warm pretzel was placed in her hand along with a Pepsi. Eddie stuffed the water bottles in her bag and she noticed he got a hot dog and some beer.

He took a sip of the cold beverage, which was spilling over the end of the plastic cup as they walked to find a seat. It seemed a lot of them were drinking beer given the smell of the place.

"You want a sip?" Eddie offered.

Max's eyes went wide. "What?"

He held the cup in front of her. "Wanna sip?"

"Is this a test?"

"I won't tell if you won't."

Max eyed him warily. Still, she took the cool cup and eyed the yellow liquid that looked like pee to her. She sniffed it before taking a sip of the tangy beverage.

"God that is disgusting," she said after she swallowed. Her face was pinched in disgust. "You actually like this?"

"You sound like your sister."

Max took another sip. The second sip was better than the first.

"Hey, now, I said a sip."

Max took another gulp. The cup was half full. "I won't tell if you won't."

"That's the only cup you're getting, Red," Eddie warned as he jumped up and went to buy himself another cup.

Eddie was serious about only allowing one cup. Max felt that her face was warm and probably flushed. When she got up from her seat, she did feel a little floaty. But she felt good and relaxed. Surprisingly, she was enjoying herself.

She could feel the excitement of other people around her and it was easy for it to leak out onto her. They had made their way to the floor in hopes of getting close to the stage. The opening act was about to start. Eddie was behind her. She could hear him talking to some people around him, but she knew his attention was focused on her. It seemed he was scared she was going to float away or something. He was taking the role of protective older brother to a T.

She didn't know the opening act. Eddie did. She could hear him screaming the lyrics along with the rest of the crowd.

However, the atmosphere changed when the lights dimmed signaling the main act was starting. It felt as if the ground was pulsing.

"You're in for a treat, Red," Eddie said into her ear.

It felt like her eardrums exploded when the first chord of "Battery" rang out. She thought she went deaf with the volume of the screams that erupted. Of course, Eddie was the loudest.

Max was hot and sweaty. Her skin felt on fire. She felt as if she was going to burst through the air. Maybe she could see why Eddie loved metal so much. The adrenaline and thrill were so addicting. To see it live and be in a room full of people loving music was the best thing she had been able to experience so far.

Eddie was drenched in sweat as well. His hair was matted and his bangs were sticky to his forehead. He wasn't bouncing off the walls as he usually was. Instead, he was eyeing her with this impressed, proud look.

She stopped her monologue on how impressed she was with the lighting. "What?"

"I converted you didn't I?" His voice was smug.

"I wouldn't go that far."

"Hey, you can like Kate Bush and Metallica," he countered as he twirled his keys around his fingers.

Max huffed. She wasn't going to give him an answer. Instead, she stopped a couple that was ahead of them.

"Hey," she held up the camera. "Can you take a picture of me and my brother?"

The couple nodded their heads. The man grabbed the camera and she and Eddie posed. They weren't directly in front of the venue, but they were far enough it could be seen in the backdrop.

Max smiled brightly as Eddie posed with his infamous devil horns. She thanked the couple before leading Eddie back to the van. She was sort of sad to leave and head back to Hawkins. Hawkins was never like this and for a brief fleeting moment, she missed California.

She hopped in the passenger seat. She took one last picture of the venue displaying Metallica's name brightly in the marque.

"So what was your favorite song?" Eddie asked as he started up his van.

Max laughed. " 'For Whom The Bells Toll' is better than 'Master of Puppets'."

Eddie gasped. "Seriously!"

"As a heart attack, like it's the better song. I don't know how you obsessed over 'Puppets' when that song is right there."

"Oh, this is going to be an interesting car ride."

The adrenaline was wearing out quickly. Max felt it as they drew closer to Hawkins and back to reality. Her eyes were getting droopy and she thought she didn't want this night to end. She knew that Kate Bush wasn't coming to America unless Max went to England, but maybe she could look out for more concerts she and Eddie could go to.

They had just past the "Welcome to Hawkins" sign when Eddie spoke. "You know our conversation from earlier…"

"Gonna have to be more specific there, Eds."

Eddie huffed. "When you asked if I loved Jen."

Max sat up straighter in her seat. "Yeah?"

"I do love her ya know."

"I think we all know, Eddie," Max told him smugly. "Have you told her?"

His grip tightened on the steering wheel. "It's one thing to know than to say it."

"You're confusing me, Eddie," she admitted. It was clear as day that both Jensen and Eddie loved each other. Even before adding the romantic side of it, it was crystal clear.

"I don't know. Like, it scares me how much I love her. You know…I never had what you and Jen had growing up. I don't want to fuck it up."

"I think you're overthinking," Max told him.

"Ya think?"

"Yeah, I mean you and Jensen just work. You can't compare your relationship to anything else because it's not like anyone else, ya know. So telling her that you love her is just stating something that is already known like grass is green."

Eddie snorted. "So that obvious."

"Duh."

Eddie shook his head. "Do you love Lucas?"

"Hey, this isn't about me. We are talking about you."

Eddie threw her an unamused glance.

"Besides Lucas and I…" she trailed off. The reality of it was they were 14. What did they really know about love?

"I think it is okay to think you love him," Eddie started. "I know you guys are young and it probably won't be until 10 years from now what type of love that may be. But I can see he makes you happy and he really cares about you. Love doesn't have to be this passionate frenzy thing. Sometimes it can be him listening to a Kate Bush album because he knows it is your favorite album at the moment."

"You are such a sap, Eddie."

"Call it the Jensen effect."

Speaking of Jensen, they pulled up to her house where she could see the living room light was on. Eddie turned off his van and grabbed her bag from the back seat. He was already digging in his for the shirts he bought.

Max hopped out of her seat at the same time Jensen walked out in her robe on their porch.

"You guys have fun?" She asked.

Was Max surprised that Eddie practically sprinted to scoop Jensen in a hug and place a soundly kiss on her lips?

"We had an amazing time. Didn't we, Red?" Eddie called out as he hugged Jensen tightly to his body. One would think they were apart for days.

Max walked up the steps as Jensen gently pushed Eddie away, who whined like a baby. He threw a wink at Max. Jensen cupped her face and gave her a hug, which Max returned.

"Yeah, it was fun," Max admitted. She didn't mind when Eddie wrapped his arms around them both crushing them into a hug.