"EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE" Will Byers x Reader

Friends don't lie// chapter 11

Y/n's POV 

Conflicted thoughts swirl around my mind. After Will left, Mike stayed sitting on the couch for a whole half hour before going down to the basement without a word. I sat quietly on the stairs, listening to him talk to El. 

Should I tell him she's alive? 

It could put her in serious danger. But Mike's in danger too. Everyday he talks less and less, snapping at Karen and Ted, and Nancy. Dustin and Lucas are too preoccupied with Max to even notice, and I couldn't possibly bother Will after all he went through last year. 

I sigh, opening the front door to check for the Wheeler's car. It's not there. I dash off down the road, quietly closing the door behind me. 

...

When I finally arrive at Hopper's cabin, it's a good hour later and the sun's beginning to rise in the east. I don't bother to knock on the door, climbing through El's window and dropping down. 

'El?' I whisper. 'You okay?' 

She raises her head slowly. 

'Y/n?' 

I crawl onto her bed. 'It's me. What's wrong?' 

'Mike's not doing well,' she swallows. 'I want to see him.' 

'El,' I sigh. 'I don't-'

'Rise and shine.' Hopper's footsteps sound outside the room. 'What are you doing here y/n?' 

'Mike's-' I cut myself off, unsure how to explain Mike's current state. 

'Kid, I know it's hard for him.' Hopper says gruffly. 'But it would put El in too much danger if he knew.' 

'Mike's a danger to himself right now,' I raise my eyebrows. 'He could do something reckless.' 

Hopper sighs. 

'He said he needs me,' El adds. 'He needs me.' 

'Hopper, you have to let him see her. You have to.' I stomp my foot like a child. 

El crosses her arms, and Hopper grunts. 

'El, I can't do that.' He replies. 'It puts everyone in danger!' 

'I'll tell him,' I threaten. 

'You won't.' Hopper glares. 'Do you really want El to get hurt?' 

'I won't get hurt.' El says. 'Careful.' 

'No. That's final.' Hopper huffs. 

We both sit there, ignoring him for ten minutes. 

'Alright.' Hopper says. 'I guess I'm just gonna have to, uh...enjoy this triple-decker Eggo extravaganza on my own.' 

El glances at me and I shrug. I'm starving. 

...

'You're gonna see him. Soon. And not just in that head of yours. You're gonna see him in real life.' Hopper says after every crumb of the 8,000 calorie waffle is gone. 'I feel like I'm making progress with these people.' 

'Friends don't lie.' El says suddenly. 

'What?' 

'You say "soon" on day 21. You say "soon" on day 205. You now say "soon" on day 326?' El narrows her eyes. 

'What is this? You're counting the days now like you're some kind of prisoner?' Hopper glances away. 

'When is "soon"?' El grits her teeth. 

'"Soon" is when...it's not dangerous anymore.' Hopper responds slowly. 

'When?' 

'I don't know.' 

'On day 500?' El demands. 

'I don't know.' Hopper shakes his head. 

'On day 600?' 

'I don't know.' 

'Day 700?' 

'On day 800? I need to see him. Tell me!' El argues loudly, standing up. 

A cup of coffee flies at Hopper, spilling on his shirt. 

'El,' I whisper. 

'Friends don't lie!' 

She's taking this harder than Mike.