ain't it weird || stranger things x female reader (season 3)

twenty - the body

Thursday, July 4, 1985

It takes you a few seconds to process what happened.

One second. It took one second of silence for the Mind Flayer to hear Kazuo scream your name, yours, and hit. One second to create such a devastating wound.

You run to him, grabbing his shoulders as he clutches his stomach. Tears are flowing down his cheeks, but all you can see is the shock and pain.

"Kaz," you say, and he looks up at you, lips trembling. "Kaz, let's get you out of here."

You help him to the closest of the two shops you just exited, the furniture shop, and settle him on the floor, leaning against a wall and hidden from the Mind Flayer by a couch. Not that the creature matters anymore. All you see is him, his sobbing face and the big red stain on his abdomen.

It went entirely through his body and left a gaping hole. You could fix this, right? That was fixable.

Not him. Please, not him.

"It hurts," Kazuo throws his head back, grasping your hand and holding tightly. "It hurts."

"I know," you manage to let out in a croaky voice. "It's fine, we're gonna get you help. It's gonna be fine."

"It's not," he winces. "It's not gonna be fine. It's hurting too bad."

"Stop," you protest, fighting back tears. You couldn't cry. Not when there was still hope. "Stop talking. I'm... gonna get Steve, or Nancy or Jonathan and we'll drive you to the hospital and everything will be fine. So stop."

You go to stand up, but he holds your hand tighter, crushing your fingers. "Don't go. I don't... I don't want to die alone."

"Stop."

"(Y/n)-"

"Please stop."

"(Y/n). I'm... It's the end. Please stay."

"But it's too soon."

"I know," he is overcome with a violent sob, making him cough. Blood floods from his mouth. "And I don't want to leave, I really, really want to stay. I'm scared."

The sight of blood dripping down his chin makes you freeze. That was it. There was not enough time to drive to the hospital, not with the fight going on. Maybe there never was. You feel stupid and naive. You feel like you're dying with him. You drop on your knees in front of him, your free hand reaching for his face. He leans his cheek towards the touch, letting out a soft whimper.

"You're leaving," you state. You could not bring yourself to cry. You couldn't cry in front of him, your best friend. You had no right to. He was the only one allowed to cry.

"Will you miss me?"

There it was. A tear. You don't wipe it off, enjoying how it runs down your face and hugs your features. Well, your resolution didn't last long. You let them freely fill your eyes and wet your cheeks. Your hands are trembling, and you can't control it.

"Of course. Everyday."

"Don't," he grunts in discomfort. There was so much blood now, too much. That was how death worked. "Don't miss me too much. You can't let that ruin your life. I don't want to ruin your life."

"But I love you," you tilt your head confusedly. He smiles. How could he be smiling when there were so many tears on his face?

"Who doesn't." The corners of his mouth fall. "Tell Mom... Tell Mom and Dad the same. T-they love me too. They can't- they can't..."

"I'll tell them what you said. But-"

"They have to try. And you have to try, too. Don't let me down, yeah? You've got to live."