The Beginning

TWO DAYS LATER HAWKINS INDIANA VAN

Mike sat in the surfer boys pizza van, that same van he had been sitting in for around 3-4 days. He had spent the journey towards Hawkins clinging on to the hope that Dylan was alive. Eleven talking about this blue flame. Maybe that Blue flame saved Dylan. Maybe what Vecna showed Eleven wasnt true at all, and it was meant to scare her.

Eleven watched as they entered Hawkins. Cars passing by them. Leaving. All with suitcases strapped to the top. Or less people then when they first arrived.

Up ahead they all saw black smoke coming from their town. Helicopters flying over them. Which didnt help calm any of their nerves.

Driving past houses, destroyed, others had people frantically leaving. Then as they drove closer to the town hall, they saw more military then citizens. News outlets were surrounding the building that was destroyed. Black vines wrapped around it. It was from the upside down. Mike clasped his hands together, his heart pounding, and his body shaking.

Eleven placed her hand on his shoulder, letting him know she shared what he felt. They both needed to see their friends. And Dylan alive.

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WHEELER RESIDENCE

Dylan packed a box together, one filled with old clothes Holly couldn't wear anymore. He wore his usual jeans and converse, with a dark purple sweater. His sleeves rolled up, as he had bandages on his hands and forearms. A bandage around his neck as well. And a couple hidden behind his sweater.

Thankfully, he suffered from no other present injuries. Despite his ankle snapping in half and getting stabbed in the heart."How did you get that one?" Holly asked pointing at the bandage on his neck. The two were in Holly's room, packing her last box. "Well, when the earthquake hit, I fell over and scratched my neck." Dylan explained, already having to use the false story.

"A big scratch?" Holly asked again, flopping down on her carpet looking up at Dylan.

"Yep! Pretty big. It didn't hit my carotid artery though. So I'm still here." Dylan joked, picking the box up. As he walked out of her room. The girl quickly followed Dylan "Can I see it?" Holly jumped down each step of the stairs

"Watch out sparky. Don't fall." Dylan smiled "and I would love to show you my wound, but my doctors told me if I take it off, I'll get an infection and they'll have to find me a new neck."

Holly laughed "cool! Let me see!"

"Wait, I don't want a new neck." Dylan laughed "No, go help your mom."

"But you're funnier!" Holly complained, Dylan smirked "No matter what you say, I'm not showing you my wound." The girl began to pout, as Dylan sighed, looking away from her sad puppy dog eyes. "Here. If it scars, I'll let you see it. Deal."

"Pinky promise." Holly stuck her pinky out, as Dylan held the box with one arm, using his free hand to lock his pinky with hers "Pinky promise." He replied as Holly giggled and ran away to find her mom.

Dylan picked up another box in the kitchen along the way, as he went through the garage. Seeing Steve, Nancy, and Robin by Steve's car."Hey, I got two more boxes for you." Dylan said as he placed them in the backseat.

"Thanks Dylan." Nancy replied "Whats in them?"

"Well the bigger box has Hollys old clothes. And I don't know whats in the other, but I assume food. Because it was in the kitchen." Dylan responded, as Karen walked out of the garage with another box.

"Hey Nancy!— Oh shoot!" Karen muttered, pursing her lips with frustration.

"Is something wrong Mrs. Wheeler?" Dylan asked

Karen looked at the boy"I left the box I was carrying by the attic stairs; to retrieve this box." Karen shook the box in her hands.

"I'll go get it. No worries." Dylan replied

"Wait, it's really heavy." Karen said "and you're injuried, I shouldn't even be letting you get any boxes." She sympathized

Dylan smiled "Im okay Mrs.Wheeler. Don't worry."Dylan walked towards the door as he heard Karen's  voice "You're an angel, Dylan!"

Mrs. Wheeler handed Nancy the box in her hands "Look what I found."

Nancy took the box, picking up a stuffed animal at the top with a nostalgic gasp "Mr. Rabbit."

"You can still keep some of them y'know." Karen said—with a gentle smile "No." Nancy placed the stuffed rabbit back in the box, taking it from her mothers hands"It'll be more loved in another home."

As Karen smiled she turned to see a pizza van pull up to their driveway "Did someone order pizza?" Karen questioned

They all looked towards the van in confusion "Pizza?" Dustin pondered. None of them ordered pizza. No pizza place is willing to deliver during this time. And they never even heard of Surfer Boys pizza.

As the car door slid open, there expression grew soft, and relieved. Jonathan, Will, Eleven, and Mike got out of the car. As they quickly rushed toward one another.

Karen hugged her son quickly, before looking at him ."You are never going on vacation again!" Karen concluded "Ever. You hear me?" Karen hugged Mike again. Mike smiled in his mother's embrace before seeing Steve behind her.

"One second. Mom." Mikes voice shook, as she let him go. He faced Steve, Steve looked at Mike with a curious expression. "Hey Mike." Steve greeted him, his smile faltering as he saw the boys tear-struck eyes.

"Where is he?" Mike asked with urgency. "Where's Dylan?"

Steve looked at Mike before he looked at Robin next to him, the two sharing the same confusion. "Uuh, w-well?" as Mike heard him, he felt his heart drop, and his breath quicken.

Dylan was gone.

Then

"Steve?" A voice called out from the garage, before a figure walked out, carrying a heavy box "where did you guys—" Dylan looked to see his friends that he thought were in California.

Mike choked with relief, as he ran down the driveway. Tears falling from his eyes. Happy tears. Dylan set the box down on the car, seeing Mike. "Micheal? What—"Mike jumped into Dylan's arms, wrapping them around Dylan's neck and placing his hand on his head, feeling the soft texture of Dylan's curls.

It took Dylan a moment to understand what was going on before he was quick to hug Mike back, hearing the boys sobs. That familiar hug, but this one was real. The Mike he hasn't seen in days with no communication, the Mike he hasn't truly spoken to—since summer-was in his arms again."Mike. Your okay. Thank God, What's wrong?" He spoke softly.

Mike pulled away keeping his hands on Dylan's shoulders. "I—I thought. You died. El saw you. Your heart. And I thought our last conversation would be us fighting. And I." Mike rambled as tears spilled from his eyes in relief and guilt. looking at Dylan's eyes that were full of life.

Dylan used his thumb to wipe the stray tears on Mikes cheek away. "Im here. Im alive." He took Mikes hand and placed it on his heart. "Im okay." Micheal calmed down, nodding his head before hugging Dylan once again.

Steve walked past Jonathan and Nancy who were having a heart to heart. His expression grim, seeing the girl he liked with another boy. Then his eyes landed on his brother, holding Mike in his arms. Steve nudged Robin to look as well. Those damn Wheelers, leaving Harringtons with heartbreak. Or maybe one Harrington?"Maybe, you, just suck?" Robin whispered as Steve rolled his eyes, smiling.

Dylan and Mike then walked over to Will and Eleven. As Dylan gave Will a tight hug, patting his back."It's good to see you, Will." Dylan smiled. "Oh and, happy late birthday." Wills eyes softened as his smile grew "You remembered?"

Dylan furrowed his brows "Of course I did, I didn't get you a present though. Sorry, I was a little focused on other things, but I'll make it up to you."

Will quickly shook his head "No, no. You being alive is enough."

Eleven latched on to Dylan. She smiled brightly as she hugged Dylan. Hearing his heart beat in his chest. "Your hair." Dylan inquired, looking at Eleven."Long story." She replied with a laugh that mixed with her tears. "But. Im okay."

"Good." Dylan nodded, as Eleven gave him a small kiss on his cheek before hugging him again.

"Dylan, you coming?" Steve asked, his keys in his hands. There plans to drop the boxes off at the Hawkins high school gymnasium. Dylan looked at Steve and then back at Mike, who seemed to silently ask him to stay. "You guys go. I think I'm gonna stay" Dylan said, Steve have his brother a teasing smile before he, Dustin, and Robin got in the car.

Mike gave Dylan a small smile which he gladly returned. Before the rest of the group left to the Surfer Boys Pizza Van to drive to the hospital.

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HAWKINS HOSPITAL

Lucas sat in a chair next to Max's hospital bed. Reading her a book. The girl with no life besides the beeping of her vitals being steady played throughout the room. "Speedy! Im here, my God! Im here in the territories." Lucas read before looking at the girl with a smile. Only seeing her still body, covered in cast and tubes.His smile slowly faded, one of his eyes severely bruised and closed up.

The door opened, as Lucas saw Mike and Will walk into the room, Dylan behind them. "Oh my God." Lucas muttered as he stood up and rushed to the boys"We've been calling you guys like crazy." Lucas said pulling the two in a bone crushing hug."I know." Mike replied "we came as soon as we heard."

They seperated as Lucas then saw the girl with a hood over her head, he gave Eleven a hug. Her breathing shook as she closed her eyes in their embrace. "Im sorry.." she whispered before seeing Max in the hospital bed.

They all looked at the red headed girl. Inching towards her in silence. The monitor beeping every second. Dylan gave Lucas and pat on his shoulders, as Lucas looked up at him with a tearful expression. Dylan rembered what Lucas had said to him when he first saw Max at the hospital.

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ONE DAY AGO.

Dylan sat by Lucas, next to Max's bed. He placed a hand on the boys shoulder in comfort. "You were right." Lucas muttered, staring at the girl. Dylan tilted his head in confusion before Lucas spoke again "I should have never told her. About any of this. This is my fault."

"Lucas." Dylan sternly spoke " You didnt know—"

"Yeah I didn't. I didn't know anything. And I still told her, not thinking about the risk myself. And because of that she died. And I don't even know how she came back." Lucas wept.

"Did the doctors say she'll wake?"

__________________________________

PRESENT TIME

"When will she wake?" Eleven asked

"They say she might not." Lucas confessed "her heart stopped. For over a minute. She died."

Mike could almost feel Dylan's hand next to his. Wanting to reach over, hold his hand. But he could just already see the look of judgment Dylan might give him.

"I..I mean, clinically, but...then she came back." Lucas explained "The doctors don't know how. They say it's a miracle."

Dylan looked over at Eleven who seemed close to breaking. Was this miracle, Eleven? He thought. Eleven sat down next to Max and held her exposed fingers from the white cast.

She still had hope. Hope that Max would wake up. One day.

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HOPPERS CABIN

The van turned around the corner and past the trees of the forest, its tires rolling over leaves and dirt.Jonathan stopped the van, getting out along with everyone else.

Dylan looked towards the cabin, not having been there in a while. As everyone else walked inside, Eleven stayed by the Van looking at the cabin with remorse.

Dylan noticed, walking over and putting his arm around her shoulders. "Come on." He persuaded her as they approached the cabin together.

As Dylan walked in with El, seeing the cabin was trashed, completely trashed. A hole in the roof, the furniture moved around and ripped. Nobody has set foot in here since Hopper died. And you could tell.

"Voila. Cleaning supplies." Nancy chirped, setting a bucket of chemicals on the table. "Get to work." She smiled.

They all spent their time separately cleaning and working around the cabin. Picking up trash, sweeping the floors. Dylan was in Hoppers bedroom. Sweeping the leaves and dust off the floor. He was so focused he didn't notice that Mike had walked in "Need help?" Micheal perked

Dylan smiled at the presence of Mike"Thanks Wheeler." Mike smiled as he began sweeping the floors like Dylan. Pushing what he swept into the pile Dylan had already accumulated. Dylan didn't notice the glances Mike gave to him, the raven haired boys cheeks growing red. Seeing Dylan's hair neat, his skin less pale, and his eye bags less noticeable. The last time Mike had seen Dylan, he looked rough, tired. Now Dylan appeared healthy—with ways to go. But healthier nonetheless.

"How are you and El?" Dylan asked, breaking the silence.

Mike paused for a moment before nervously clearing his throat. "Well, we broke up, but—"

"What?" Dylan replied, louder then he wanted to "You broke up? How? When? Why?"

"It was during everything. She broke up with me, and well I thought it was for the best." Mike awkwardly responded, a bit suprised by Dylan's reaction.

"Are you two...good?" Dylan questioned, resting his hands on the top of his broom. Mike quickly nodded "Yeah! We're great. Don't worry."

"Okay..good for you guys." Dylan continued sweeping the floors, his head about to explode.

Micheal felt like his heart was pounding out of his chest. Thats all Dylan said. Good for you guys? Mike was thinking too deep into it. He didn't expect Dylan to be crazy about it. But now that Micheal is 100% sure that he's into Dylan, his best friend. I guess he wanted something more than just a small reaction.

"Mike?" Dylan walked closer to Mike. As Mikes head quickly snapped towards him "Yeah?"

Dylan hesitated for a moment, just taking in all of Mikes features "Im sorry." He spoke

Mikes face went blank, darting between Dylan's eyes, trying to not glance down at his lips but doing so subconsciously. "For what?"

"I've been distant. From you. From the whole party. I thought it was necessary. But, now I know, it didn't do anything but hurt us as a group." Dylan shrugged "and for that I'm sorry. And I'm sorry for hiding." Dylan referenced what Mike had said to him during their last fight. Hoping Mike could forgive him.

Mikes face scrunched, before he cringed at himself "No. Dylan. I've been distant too. Ever since...summer...I think things have been different. And I told you I was tired of looking for you, but. I just wasn't looking hard enough."Mikes focus was on the dirty wall, ashamed.

Dylan sweetly smiled, moving his head and tilting his gaze down to meet Mikes eyes. "I think we just need to keep our promise of sticking together."

Mike could feel the warmth spread unto his cheeks. That flutter in his stomach, that feeling he always felt with Dylan. But this time he understood it. "I agree.." He said quietly

With that Dylan noticed how close he was, taking a step back that didn't go unnoticed by Mike. Dylan went back to sweeping the ground before "accidentally" sweeping some dirt unto Michael's shoes.

"Really?" Mike lifted an eyebrow.

Dylan shot him a playful smirk before sweeping more towards him.

"You're on." Mike said with a competitive laugh. He swept more towards Dylan, as the two ruined the pile they had previously created, until their shoes and the edges of their pants were covered in dirt and leaves.

The two were laughing, drowning out any other noise, as Nancy glanced through the cracks of the window, seeing them. Seeing her brothers smile. Reminding her of when they were young.

Mike had no more to sweep towards Dylan, as he caught his breath. He saw a clock that was knocked over on the floor, he set his broom down—walking away from the open door. He picked it up, setting it up straight on a ledge. Walking backwards, not noticing the bit of wood from the floor sticking up.

"Watch out—!" Dylan called out before Mike caught the back of his foot on it. As Mike lost his balance. "Whoa—" he couldn't even feel himself fall before Dylan caught him. His broom hitting the ground."Geez, thanks. I need to start paying......." Mike realized how close the two were, Dylan's hands wrapped around his waist and rested on his back. As Mikes hands laid on Dylan's shoulders, his elbows on his chest. There noses almost touching."...Attention.." Mike finished his sentence, his ears beet red.

The two quickly separated, getting far away from one another. Mike nervously walked away. "Uhh. I think. Nancy might need..some help." Mike coughed

"Yeah! T-totally." Dylan stuttered, folding his arms together, his heart pounding in his chest. "Im gonna check on El." He gave Mike an awkward grin.

As Mike left, Dylan cursed at himself. It was fine. He and Mike were officially friends again. And nothing was gonna change....nothing at all.

Dylan quickly went to Elevens room, where the girl was. Seeing the door was open three inches. "Hey."

Eleven looked up, almost expecting someone else. Then saw her brother. As she gave him a small smile. Dylan closed the door after him, leaving it slightly open before sitting down next to her. "How you holding up?" He asked

She wiped away a tear. "Okay." Dylan rubbed the girls back in comfort, before she took his hand. "Dylan?" She spoke

"Yes?" He asked, slightly raising his eyebrows.

"Papa.. is dead." She confirmed. Holding unto his hand tightly. Dylan simply stared at the girl, his expression vague. Holding in air. His dad. His dad was dead. The man that was the first monster in his life. The scars on his body being the constant reminder of that. Eleven spoke again "And he was the one that hurt—"

"My mom." Dylan finished her sentence. "I know. She told me."

Eleven tilted her head in confusion. "How?"

"I died. For I don't know how long. But I did die. And I saw her. She told me what happened." Dylan explained, keeping his voice steady as he could feel a sting in his eyes.

"The blue flame." She whispered. "It..was you." Dylan nodded, lifting his left hand, and lit a flame through his fingers. The blue light reflecting off of Elevens pupils.

Eleven smiled, as she took both of his hands, which were now fireless. "We are not monsters, Dylan." She said proudly. Remembering the boy she saw in the lab hallway. The monster, people tried to make her brother as.

Dylan held her hands back. "We are free. Jane." He smiled. Hugging the girl.

Jane rested her head on his shoulder, she felt safe with the people she loved. She felt safe with her family. She just wished she had Hopper in this dirty nostalgic cabin.

___________________________________

Dylan walked out of Janes room, looking ahead to see Mike and Will on the knocked over sofa. Mikes hand on Wills shoulder. The sun shining through a window between them. When did they get so close? Dylan asked himself before quickly swatting away his thought. Will had been both him, and Mikes first friend. It was stupid to assume they wouldn't be close.

Dylan gave them both a friendly smile before quickly walking outside to take a breath of air. Looking to see Nancy who just got finished boarding up a broken window. And was now watching her boyfriend from afar talk to his, obviously, high friend.

"Hey Nancy." Dylan greeted, walking over to the girl. leaning against the wooden railing, crossing his arms.

"Hey." She greeted back, taking her focus away from her boyfriend, who was definitely lying to her about something. "How's the inside, looking?"

"It's..um, good." Dylan replied

"Really?" She questioned with a grin

"Really. really." He lied.

"What about the dirt all over the bedroom?" Nancy questioned, extending her thumb behind her, as Dylan saw a slight crack between the wooden boards where she was given a perfect view of the bedroom, that Dylan was still red about. Still feeling Mikes blue jacket and frame in his hands.

Dylan quickly stood up, blush across his face. "We didn't mean for that to happen!" Dylan's eyes widened. "It was an honest mistake!"

Her brows snapped together "You guys accidentally, swept dust all over one another?" She then pointed to the dirt on Dylan's shoes.

"Ooooooh!" Dylan laughed "No, we were just messing around."

"Did something else happen?" She asked, stepping closer to Dylan like a detective. "Nope." Dylan lied, gulping the spit caught in his mouth.

Nancy laughed at Dylan, she could tell he was lying. But she wasn't going to push him to tell her. "Im glad you and Mike are friends again."

Dylan nodded, chewing on his bottom lip "Me too."

Nancy looked back over at Jonathan, her face slightly shifting. "Sometimes you two, remind me of, Jonathan and I. The good parts I mean."

Dylan nodded his head once again, before pausing, realizing what Nancy had just said. Before he could question her she had already shifted her gaze unto a black car that was coming to the cabin.

"Who's that?" She asked, as Dylan also looked, not recognizing the vehicle. "I don't know." He responded. Quickly walking down the stairs, standing in-front of the cabin.

As he heard the sounds of the leaves and sticks crunching underneath the clean tires, he grew nervous. He gripped his fist preparing himself, if he had to fight. Then the car door opened and he saw a man get out, a tall man, with a flannel shirt, and a hat on his head. It was Jim Hopper.

"Hopper?!" Dylan exclaimed, seeing the man he thought was dead.

Jim pursed his lips together in a smile, seeing the boys face."Hey, Dylan."

Dylan gave the man a hug. "What the hell. You're alive?"

"Im alive." Jim chuckled, patting the boys back. "You got tall." He commented, the boy being eye to eye with him.

"Jane. Shes inside. In her room." Dylan informed him. As Hopper gave him a nod before quickly making his way inside the cabin.

He then saw Joyce get out of the car. "Dylan!" She expressed, quickly hugging the boy herself. Dylan bent down, to easily let her hug him. "You got tall." She commented as Dylan laughed.

Then Will and Jonathan ran over, seeing their mother. Dylan quickly backed away, before bumping into Mike. "Oh sorry, Dyll." Mike said, as Dylan shook his head "you're good." Ignoring the flips in his stomach.

"So Hoppers—" Dylan started as Mike finished his sentence "Alive. He's alive." The two couldn't help but laugh in their own surprise. As Jane walked out of the cabin, her eyes still full of tears as she ran over to Joyce giving the women a hug. Hopper watching the two with a smile.

Relief. It was surrounding Dylan. Happiness. Then Dread. God awful dread. His breath quickened as he looked around, he noticed Will, with his hand on his neck. Clouds were beginning to cover the blue sky, as Dylan heard thunder, booming every few seconds. The snow you wish for as a kid, it begun flying around Dylan. But this wasn't snow. It was the particles from the upside down.

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The group followed the black smoke they saw in the distance, the particles landing on their clothes. They pushed past the trees until they were on a hill. A beautiful hill, with bright flowers. But like an infection, half of it was dead. It's petals covered in mold.

As Dylan walked through the grass, the dirt and dust on his shoes quickly wiped away, reminding him that not all good things lasted. He looked ahead. Seeing the red cracks throughout Hawkins, all leaking black smoke that thundered. Polluting the air of their town. Letting Dylan and Jane know they truly did lose.

Dylan felt Micheal grip his wrist, as he glanced over at the fear-stricken boy. Dylan didn't hesitate to grab his hand, interlocking their fingers together.Micheal felt the bandages on Dylan's palm as he held his hand. Dylan's hands were warm, and it warmed his own cold hand.

The two looked towards the mess coming their way. The courage the two gave each other when they would bike to watch their favorite show on a Saturday morning, or when they could go to one another for anything, was something they needed now, more then anything.

Dylan knew this was only the beginning, and he lost. But as he had his friends again, his Micheal. The next time he had to face Vecna. He wasn't going to lose.