No excused for the long wait except for a block and too much work. But I'm not dead -yet-!

Chapter 13

Working with El was much easier than what Kagome expected. The girl had a fine grasp of her powers knowing how to attune it to the situation and dance with the music. Different in nature, hers and Eleven's power synced as they had the same goal. In a blink, Kagome found herself and Eleven inside a silent world where the moon shone in red and no life could be detected.

Having been there before, Eleven assured Kagome they were inside Max's mind. The places were the ones she had been to before, including the middle school they attended together and the mall breaking apart from the previous summer.

The arrow they had held to enter there disappeared, but the thin wire of light could still be seen and directed them straight to the decaying mall.

Kagome arrived in Hawkins not long after the explosion of the mall and didn't get to see it in its original state, so it was up to Eleven to guide them through the corridors. There was little chance of getting lost, however, as the screams and weeping echoed on the walls. The sounds took them to the main court, where a spider-like creature stabbed a young man - which Kagome figured out was Billy, Max's stepbrother, while the girl sobbed and begged for his forgiveness.

It was a sight filled with remorse, guilt and sadness, though the former two did not match the reality of the situation, according to what Kagome was told. If Eleven, with all their training and wonderful powers, struggled to contain the Mind Flayer, what could Max have done? And of course, she wouldn't mention it at this moment, but Billy had a heroic moment when he stood between Eleven and the monster, allowing the girl to escape while he endured the stabs. Still, a grieving mind isn't exactly rational and Max was barely a teen on top of that.

From the moment Kagome stepped on Max's mind place she was sure of one thing: it was all on Max. Sure, Vecna had a lot to do with how she got to this point and how she digested these feelings, but the only presence she felt was Max's and El's. On the good side, they wouldn't have to worry about Henry inhabiting Max's body; on the downside, Max was quite stubborn.

Nothing Kagome did was enough to get Max's attention. The girl was immersed in her grief and Kagome wasn't part of her past enough to break down that barrier. Eleven, on the other hand, was a different story. Having been there, she knew how to make Max realize the wrongness of that setting.

"He saved me! Saved us!" Eleven was forcing Max to face her. "He stopped the monster so I could get away! He died to buy us some time! He asked me to look after you!"

"He did?" Max's expression softened.

"He wanted you to live. You were his little sister, after all."

Kagome felt as if she was eavesdropping on this intimate moment. She had met Max only a few days before everything went south and had known Eleven for less than twenty-four hours. Hoping to give the girls some privacy, she walked away.

The spider monster and Billy's projection were still in place, with tentacles piercing his torso. It would have been a gruesome scene if Kagome hadn't seen hundreds of dismembered bodies and worse in the past. Still, the bloodied face of the young man made Kagome wince.

Being empowered by Max's suffering, Kagome supposed that the monster would react to her powers, and she was right. With a touch of her hand, the creature screeched and turned into ash, leaving only the battered Billy.

Kagome looked into his empty blue eyes, placed a hand on his cheek, and prayed—not for him, but for Max. She prayed that Max understood that sometimes there is nothing you can do, that Max realized it's okay to have not-so-nice thoughts, and that it doesn't make you a bad person.

Max, still weeping and red-faced but conscious, sat at Billy's side and took his hand. She pushed the hair from his forehead and caressed his face. Her lips moved, but Kagome didn't hear a word—it was a brother and sister moment, and Kagome didn't want to pry.

With a blink, Kagome found herself back in the hospital room. A burning sensation on her hand startled Kagome as she saw the arrow disappearing and Eleven waking up. Her muscles felt heavy and sore, aching as if she had lifted weights the entire day. The stress on her body was much worse than she anticipated.

Dragging her feet, Kagome exited the room. She leaned against the nearest wall, catching her breath as beads of sweat formed on her forehead. She walked away as a nurse approached, stopping once she reached the crowded lobby.

The scene resembled many instances where the shard hunting group arrived at a village too late, and all that remained was tending to the injured who were fortunate enough to survive and burying the bodies of the deceased. The usually peaceful and mundane atmosphere of Hawkins had been replaced with grief and worry.

Kagome observed anxious family members huddled together, eagerly hoping and waiting for news about their loved ones. She could sense the heavy weight of sorrow hanging in the air, mingling with the scent of antiseptic and fear. It served as a stark reminder of the consequences of their battle against Vecna.

Hopper entered through the entrance, holding himself in a much better state than the previous night. He approached the clerk. Amidst the clamor of voices, she understood that he was inquiring about Max. With the given directions, he finally turned and encountered Kagome, who was leaning against the wall. The girl waved and managed a small smile.

"Hello, there. Is everything okay? You look terrible." 'Not far from how I feel', thought Kagome.

Hopper offered a ride home after he checked on El and Max. Feeling slightly better, Kagome went with him to see how Max was doing. She knew there had been some improvement since Max's aura was growing stronger. However, when they reached the correct corridor, they encountered Eleven and Lucas outside. They had been asked to leave as Max woke up and was undergoing a checkup. Shortly after, her mother arrived and thanked Lucas for keeping her daughter company.

They wouldn't be allowed to see Max again until the following day, but knowing she was conscious was good news enough for now.

Hopper had a truck - apparently, it was his old truck, and who knows how he got it back. They dropped Lucas off at home and then drove back to the cabin. Although they traveled in silence, Hopper seemed to be in an unusually good mood that didn't quite match his hardened exterior or the surroundings. However, after what he had been through in the last few months, perhaps the heat of the upcoming summer and the sense of freedom was enough to lift his spirits.

They found a bored Eddie eagerly waiting for them. He had cooked dinner using the supplies his uncle had brought earlier in the day—a complex dish that Kagome wouldn't have expected him to prepare by himself, considering he had claimed to be a not-so-good cook. It was heartwarming to see the carefree Eddie, whom Kagome knew from school, slowly coming back to life.

"When it comes to cooking, if I relied on Uncle Wayne, I'd be living off Mac and Cheese and chicken nuggets," Eddie remarked when questioned about his culinary skills. "He buys the food, and I cook it. It's a fair deal."

"After those months with the commies, this tastes better than anything I've ever eaten," said Hopper as he prepared another serving. "Speaking of which, as Hawkins' Chief of Police, I'll make sure no one comes after you. At least not from law enforcement. The issue with Chrissy is under investigation, and Powell was demoted for mentioning your name during the press conference."

"How did you manage to regain your position?" Eleven asked.

"Dr Owens has some powerful connections. The official history is that I was found in the wreckage of the mall and remained in a coma for a few months. I only recently regained my memories. Given all the chaos caused by Powell and Callahan sticking their feet on their mouths, they were eager to reinstate me."

"Callahan is a creep," Kagome shivered. "Always implying things that were none of his business. I'm glad he won't be going after Eddie anymore." Eddie squeezed her hand in appreciation.

After finishing their meal, Hopper changed into his officer uniform and seemed pleased with himself as he adjusted his hat. He was back in his element.

Having been a pariah for many years, Eddie didn't hesitate to consider how others would react to seeing him free. As long as the police weren't pursuing him, he would manage to survive. Kagome, too, longed to go home, take a hot shower, and sleep. Although Vecna's aura still lingered, there wasn't much they could do at the moment—not while everyone was still recovering. Being alone and with the city on high alert, it would be impossible to continue their investigation.

Hopper accompanied Eddie and Kagome to the location where Eddie's van was hidden. Eddie let out a breath of relief when they found it untouched since they had left it there. Although it was dirty and smelled of smoke and mold, the engine started on the first try.

The van rumbled to life, its engine purring with newfound vigor. Eddie sat behind the wheel, a mix of relief and excitement coursing through him. It was a symbol of normalcy, a reminder of a life that waited not far ahead. Kagome climbed into the passenger seat, her tired body sinking into the worn-out cushion.

The silent ride, the cool spring wind caressing their faces, and the exhilaration of the day's activities had lulled Kagome into a peaceful slumber. Slowly, she opened her eyes, finding herself in front of her house. To her relief, it had escaped the destruction caused by the earthquake. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, she turned her attention to Eddie, who had summoned a Walkman and was lost in his own world, swaying to a melody she didn't recognize while strumming an invisible guitar.

"Did I wake you up? Sorry, baby," he said, pausing the music and removing the headphones.

"How..." Kagome yawned, her voice still tinged with drowsiness, "how long was I asleep?"

"Only a few songs. You looked pretty tired and I didn't have the heart to wake you up."

A faint blush graced Kagome's cheeks as she playfully slapped his arm. Eddie pretended to be wounded before opening the van's door and hopping out. Kagome followed suit. Together, they walked towards the front door, their steps light and slow, if they were taking longer than necessary to reach it.

Inside the house, amidst the slightly disarranged furniture and scattered decorations on the floor, Kagome heaved a sigh of relief. The familiar sights and scents enveloped her, offering solace after the trials they had faced. Without realizing it, she had missed the sensation of returning home after arduous days, the feeling of being embraced by familiarity and warmth. It wasn't her old bedroom in her family's shrine but it was the home she built for herself, her little sanctuary.

A book lay open-faced on the floor, its pages invitingly beckoning Kagome. She picked it up and found a hardcover copy of The Hobbit, a whimsical smile tugging at her lips. Eddie approached, his arm finding its way around her shoulders, a comforting gesture that made the butterflies in her stomach come to life.

"There and back again," he mused, his voice filled with a mixture of awe and reflection. "It says a lot about what we've been through. I never knew you liked fantasy books."

Gently teasing him, Kagome replied as she placed the book back on the shelf, "You don't know much about me."

Eddie drew nearer, his gaze locking with hers in a moment of profound intimacy. "But what truly matters to me is this," he began, his voice filled with tenderness, "your kindness, your unwavering loyalty. You are the most extraordinary person I have ever had the privilege of crossing paths with." Kagome found herself entranced by the intensity of his deep, chocolate-brown eyes. His words resonated within her, stirring the depths of her soul. "You went above and beyond, selflessly helping those children and even extending compassion to the town's outcasts when it would have been easier to turn away. You lied to protect me, risking everything, simply to buy me more time and we had just met." Eddie gently lifted her hands to his lips, planting a tender kiss on her knuckles. "In ways you may not fully comprehend, you have saved me."

Blushing deeply, Kagome was momentarily rendered speechless, her heart aflutter with an overwhelming surge of emotions.

"I want to discover the intricacies of your soul," Eddie whispered, his voice brimming with sincerity. "Your favorite food, the songs that stir your spirit, and the way you take your coffee in the morning – I long to know them all, if only you would allow me."

"I'd like to get to know you too. " Her voice barely above a whisper. Suddenly, the buttons on Eddie's jacket held an inexplicable allure, capturing her attention. "Though I feel like we skipped a few steps...you know, in the forest..."

Eddie began to interject, "We can pretend that never happened and-"

"No!" Kagome interrupted, her eyes sparkling with determination. "I crave dates, late-night movies, and snuggling on the couch," she inched closer standing on her tiptoes, her body leaning towards him, compensating for their height difference. "We can adjust the order of these experiences as we please." With that, she pressed a sweet, lingering kiss to the corner of his mouth, an act filled with both playfulness and genuine affection. Kagome intended to tease him, but the depth of his response made it clear that he was not in the mood for games.

Kagome didn't move an inch before Eddie pulled her into a real kiss. His hand on the back of her head guided it to give him access to her mouth. He nibbled her lower lip, asking her to invade her space - which she gladly allowed. The reservation from moments ago just vanished.

The door of her room materialized behind her as they walked with lips still connected. Not bothering to turn around, she twisted the knob in hopes it was somewhat like she had left it a few days before. Somehow, they made it to the bed without tripping.

Within the span of a blink, Kagome was on her back with Eddie on top. He had a sinful smile on his face. He descended to her neck, trailing wet kisses down her throat to her chest. Her shirt and bra were gone as the assault on her breasts started. Her back arched as Eddie sucked one nipple while massaging the other. The cold metal of his rings against her warm skin sent chills down her spine.

Kagome grabbed his thick hair and pulled him closer to her body, wanting more of him. This time, she was savoring every touch, every movement - and the softness of her mattress instead of a rough tree bark was a huge bonus.

"Eager, aren't you?" Teased Eddie. He licked the hill between her breasts before going down her ribs and belly button. He helped her out of her pants and left the girl clad only in male underwear that happened to be his. "I never thought I'd think my boxers look sexy to someone other than myself. But," he hooked the waistband with his indexes and tugged down that last piece, "you look even better without them."

The flush on Kagome's face had nothing to do with shyness and everything to do with anticipation. After having to bathe in the wild for so long, she got comfortable in her skin and felt no shame with her naked body. Eddie had been taunting her for some time already, from sniffing her groin to kissing her calves. His hair tickled her thighs while he whispered his adoration against her skin.

Kagome forgot about everything else and just let the pleasure wash her over. Unlike the last time, she didn't hold back the moans when Eddie found that sweet spot that made her squirm, and he didn't miss the chance to explore it again. She came with a cry of his name.

Eddie took little time to dispose of his clothes before he caught Kagome in another passionate kiss. His body molded against hers as she wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. He rubbed against her lower area, coating himself with her juices. She moaned in his mouth, already sensitive from the previous orgasm. He smirked against her lips before plunging in.

Kagome curled her toes when Eddie thrust into her until his hips hit the back of her thighs. The single push sent a jolt of electricity to her nerves, bringing to life all her senses. His warm breaths against her skin, his digits gripping her bottom, the low grunts he released whenever her inner muscles trembled, the smell of sweat and sex filling the room.

Her mind fogged every time he slid in and out; the friction sent stars to her vision. If Eddie's increasing pace was any indication, he felt the same. Her hips rose and fell, matching his movements and allowing Eddie to go harder and deeper. Her nails scratched his back as she fought against the completion that was coming.

"You're so-," he thrust, "fucking perfect. Come for me, baby, let me see you coming undone."

He positioned himself in a way that his pelvis rubbed against her clit and Kagome couldn't resist anymore. The building in her womb exploded, sending waves of pleasure all over her body. Her inner walls clenched around him, milking his release as he followed her ecstasy.

Neither talked for a while. Eddie had his head on her shoulder, catching his breath while Kagome combed his hair with care. While the threat was far from over, Kagome let herself enjoy the moment. Vecna would show up again, of that she was sure, but she refused to put her life on hold because of him.

Please don't forget to share your thoughts with me!