LXX
The next day, Eleven and Max are reading in the living room when there is a knock on the door. With calm steps, Henry goes to open it.
"Officer." Eleven hears Henry's feigned cordial tone. "What a pleasant surprise."
"Mr. Creel," the man greets him. "I'm aware your cousin is friends with Maxine Mayfield. And she's been missing since yesterday, so I've come to ask…"
Both Eleven and Max approach the door. Henry turns to look at them.
"Alright." Hopper sighs, adjusting his hat. "That settles the case, doesn't it?"
"They're looking for me?" Max asks.
"Yeah, your mother," Hopper corroborates. "Now, miss, if you could come with me to the station—"
"Yesterday she didn't have any problem with letting me leave." Max's voice betrays her bitterness. "What's more: I thought she'd be happy not to have to deal with… everything."
Hopper narrows his eyes. Eleven realizes that the officer has picked on Max's convoluted feelings.
"With everything? And what would that be, young lady?"
Max purses her lips and keeps quiet. Eleven just watches her, concern evident on her face.
"Officer." It's Henry speaking now. "Why don't you come in? I'm sure Maxine would prefer to talk in the comfort of a couch, rather than on the doorstep."
"Hm," Hopper grumbles. "If you excuse me, then…"
Eleven is about to follow Hopper into the living room when she feels a warm hand rest on her shoulder.
"Eleven." She turns and sees Henry, who is watching her with an intense expression. "You can't fight every battle for your friend," he reminds her.
"But Max needs me…"
"And you're helping her," Henry assures her with an understanding smile. "However, you must give her space so she can process what happened and… share with Hopper whatever she deems necessary."
That… makes sense.
"Want to go for a walk in the park?" Henry then suggests. "I've heard they've finally decorated the main path for Christmas… We can be back in half an hour if we leave now."
Eleven guesses things will always be like this: that Henry, despite his eminently dark nature, will always come up with some ridiculous offer to distract her or cheer her up as needed.
And she guesses, too, that the result will always be the same: that she will indeed take his hand and follow him.