&&. ( EL ) :
El never ONCE let her eyes stray from Mike. Not that she even had the energy to glance around the room, but she wouldn’t even if she could. She kept her tired gaze locked on his, a matching mistiness in her eyes to his. She never had been able to look away from him; even last fall, she always chanced a glance at her curly haired savior before answering a question or making a decision. It wasn’t that she needed his permission, tonight had been proof enough that she’d do things he didn’t want her to if it kept him safe. Rather she felt better confirming he was still THERE, that he wasn’t going anywhere. Everything would be fine, as long as Mike was at her side. They were together, and nothing else could or would matter. And now that he was here, the reality of their victory could finally start to sink in. She could already feeling strength returning to her muscles just from the way he was holding her, warmth spreading up her arms and into her chest from every point of contact between them.
Like his touch alone was sufficient to REVIVE her from the brink of self-destruction.
El winced slightly in discomfort as Mike returned her to the couch (ok so maybe she wasn’t THAT revived yet), but swallowed back any further signs of pain and weakness. She knew how worried Mike could get about things not even half this serious. And while how much he cared for her made her heart flutter and her cheeks flush, she didn’t want to be the reason he was in pain. Not anymore. She’d watched him suffer for almost a YEAR without being able to stop it; she couldn’t bare to see him that way ever again. So she attempted a light smile at his words, wishing she had enough energy to answer him. To reassure him. That of course she was alright; she’d promised him she’d come back, and she had. That she’d rather die than break another promise to him. That he NEVER needed to be scared of losing her ever again, because she wasn’t going anywhere. No matter what Hopper said; laying here in his arms, staring up at his face, and feeling the breath of his words tickle her skin was enough to know she couldn’t go ONE MORE DAY without it. She would do much worse than run away from home to be at Mike’s side from now on.
Panic flooded her system when Mike got up to leave, regardless of the reassurances he’d tried to give. She couldn’t move to stop him, but a squeak of fear did escape her lips. No, no, no he couldn’t leave her. Not for any reason. She wasn’t ready, not when were just together again. GOD, was this how he’d felt watching her drive away earlier? Watching her climb into the truck and wondering if or when she’d ever return? She knew he was just going to the kitchen, she could still hear his voice, but the fear was palpable. It choked her airways, made a pit form in her stomach, and her heart race erratically. It gave her a whole new appreciation for the strength Mike had; that he’d let her go, despite how badly he’d wanted her to stay. He’d trusted her when she knew he trusted almost no one anymore. He’d clearly done SOMETHING, given how dirty and disheveled he’d looked bursting through the door, to try and help her rather than stop her.
… Man, she really, REALLY loved that boy.
“I missed you too.” she responded in a hoarse voice, licking her dry lips and reaching a shaky hand up to rest over his on her cheek. She took in a shuddering breath, trying to pick her words very carefully since she didn’t have the strength to get many out at a time. “… I visited you. All the time. MY WAY.” she attempted, hoping he’d catch on to her meaning. That he’d understand how all the times he’d thought he was crazy - that he’d heard her voice on the radio, felt her presence around the corner? He’d been right. She was there. Watching him. Missing him. BEGGING Hopper to let her go to him. She wouldn’t share that last one though; the Chief was already in enough trouble with Mike for hiding her as it was. “I’m … I’m SORRY, Mike. I’m so sorry.” she frowned, tearing up as she held his gaze. She could never apologize enough for leaving him the way she had, for being unable to tell him she was alive. For scaring him tonight, for letting him suffer alone when she should’ve been there.
mike could feel his heart squeeze in his chest at her words. he already knew it, but that didn’t make it any less sweet. there had never been any question in mike’s mind that el didn’t care about him just as much as he cared about her. but it was still NICE to hear it. it was still nice to SEE that. actions spoke louder than words, and with el, mike had come to appreciate that all the more. nevertheless, it made his chest light up. to see her again, to see that she was safe and sound… mike felt like he could finally BREATHE again. she was back. she was here with him, and he wasn’t ever letting her go again.
his skin burned under her touch, he could feel his throat tightening and all he could do was let out a breathless half-laugh, half-sigh. it was all he could manage without letting his emotions get the best of him. and seeing el like THIS? well, that wasn’t helping. as much as he was so RELIVED to have her back, as much as he LOVED it, there was still a small STING that he could feel. she was so DRAINED, so EXHAUSTED—– she looked like HELL all because SHE had to save everyone– not just mike, not just the party, not just hopper, or joyce, or nancy, or steve, but EVERYONE. she had to save all of hawkins, indiana. because she didn’t, who would? it was something that only SHE could do. just her. only her. and it had damn near KILLED her to do so, but she was alive. regardless of how she currently looked. even with a newly cleaned face.
mike had been doing well. he was able to quell the emotions building up inside of him… and then she spoke again, and everything began to crack and break and unravel. he hadn’t been going crazy. she was ACTUALLY there and it made his heart clench, his stomach knot up, his skin FLARE, becoming littered with goosebumps. and those words…
“i visited you…”
all those times he’d only THOUGHT he’d seen her…
“all the time…”
it really HAD been her…
“MY WAY.”
he remembered the LAST time he’d actually THOUGHT that he’d seen her… he could still remember how her fingers had just BARELY managed to brush over his cheek… and then he’d brushed her off, telling himself that it was all in his head. he left her. he felt a pang of GUILT shoot through him at the memory, and his eyes pricked once more. the memory of her voice… her touch… HER watching him… VISITING him… and he didn’t even realize it. he wished that he hadn’t been so stupid; so dumb… he wished that he could’ve realized it sooner. if only he had allowed himself to come to the realization that she WAS out there. maybe it would’ve made everything easier on him. maybe things could’ve been DIFFERENT. maybe he could’ve figured out a way to get to her. maybe he could’ve—–
he was torn from his thoughts at hearing her apology and the tears in his eyes welled even more. “ el, no– don’t– ” it was HIS turn to let out a shuddering breath. keep it together, mike. keep it together. he couldn’t. tears were already overwhelming his eyes, starting to run down his cheeks. he couldn’t help it. she didn’t need to be SORRY. none of this was her fault. he would NEVER blame her for what happened. she tried. dammit, SHE TRIED to reach him! she couldn’t blame herself for what happened. he wouldn’t let her. “ it wasn’t YOUR fault. you don’t need to be sorry. ”
he sniffled, trying to blink back his tears, trying to clear his vision, eyes never once leaving hers. “ you’re here now. that’s all that matters. ” the hand he STILL had resting on her cheek remained, thumb moving in gentle strokes across her skin. “ you’re HOME. ” and then, mike did just what he’d been wanting to do since she’d first came back.
he slowly moved in. there was no one to stop them now. no one to break in and ruin their moment. no one to pull them away from one another. it all happened in slow-motion. his head tilting, eyes fluttering shut, and finally, his lips brushing across hers, soft and warm, but chaste and fleeting. finally, mike kissed her.