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Mike and Max hate each other. None of the party can tell why but it’s a known fact. Just like the fact the Upside Down exists and Steve is their mom. That’s not exactly true. Here’s a bunch of interactions between Max & Mike throughout and in between and after each season.
October 30th 1984
”And this is our new student, Maxine Mayfield.” Mr. Clarke announced.
Max rolled her eyes, “Max, no one calls me Maxine.” Mr. Clarke faltered slightly but nodded. She headed towards her seat and felt the eyes of 4 boys staring at her. The first one who caught her eyes was a boy with dark skin and black hair. The second was a boy with black curly hair. He looked away and back down at his sheet. Max stiffened, on his neck was poorly applied concealer.
Why would he be wearing concealer there? Not unless… Max flinched unconsciously and studied the boy. His posture was stiff and his eyes darted around. She stiffened as flashes of Neil yelling at her and Billy flickered through her mind. Whatever, it’s not my business.
March 21 1985
Mike groaned as he heard a knock at his window. Sure he wasn’t sleeping but he would like to write his next campaign in peace. “Lucas I thought I told you to-” He froze and took in the red hair. “Max?” The girl shoved past him and climbed into his room.
“Shut up asshole. I-I just. You were the only one who wouldn’t ask questions.” Mike stiffened and stared at the girl. W-What does she mean? Does she know?!
Max glanced at him and Mike froze. There was a red handprint on her cheek and small cuts on her face. “I won’t ask questions. Let just get stuff to bandage you up.” Max scoffed but smiled slightly. Mike grabbed the disinfectant and bandages before turning towards Max. “Are there any other injuries?” Max hesitated but nodded.
”My ribs are bruised.” Mike nodded and started bandaging the cuts on her face.
“I’ll go get an ice pack.” Max nodded and collapsed on his bed. The two fell asleep together, sleeping peacefully for the first time in a while. Max kept breaking into his window and Mike kept helping her.
June 6th 1985
Max hated Neil so fucking much. Billy was spending more time with Eddie and Chrissy since they learned he was their third soulmate. He wasn’t around to protect her anymore. Not that she needed protecting, she could take care of herself. Max walked towards the quarry, planning to skip rocks and blow off steam. She paused in the clearing. A figure was already sitting there, slouched over the edge. They had black curly hair and- Is that Mike?! Max stepped forward, frowning.
”Mike?” She called hesitantly. He whipped around a glare on his face.
“The fuck do you want Mayfield!” She stepped backwards slightly, taken aback. His eyes were red and puffy. There were bruises on his arms and neck and his cheek had a red mark that was shaped like a handprint.
Max walked towards him and sat next to him. “Ted?” Mike’s silence was an answer. “My windows always open,” she offered. Neil had skipped town and left Billy behind. She still snuck into his window though. Mike just nodded slightly.
“It’s not a big deal. It usually doesn’t get this bad.” Max scowled and leaped at him. Am I hugging Mike Wheeler by choice? Today is a fucked up day.
”It is a big deal! Didn’t you tell me that just Neil yelling at me was enough to count?” Mike glanced at the ground, pulling away.
”It’s not for me. I-”
”The fuck you mean it doesn’t apply to you! It’s the same! Just take the offer and sneak into my window asshole.” Mike smiled softly.
“Thanks,”
July 10th 1985
Mike frowned as he stepped into Billy’s room. “ How long till he wakes up?” Max looked at him with tears in her eyes.
”A-At least a year.” Her voice wobbled and she leaped at Mike. He hugged her and she sobbed into his shoulder. Then the door slammed open. Chrissy and Eddie sprinted inside and froze. They stared at their soulmate.
Right, they’re his soulmates. Oh shit,
Mike watched as the two of looked at Billy. “They said it was a mall fire!” Chrissy exclaimed, eyes watering.
”How the fuck did this happen?” Eddie growled. Max looked away and Mike pulled her towards him.
“The mall started collapsing and a hint piece hit him in the stomach.” Mike answered and looked at Max.
”He saved her,” Max whispered and started crying. Mike hugged her and Eddie and Chrissy looked between them. Sorry Max, I’ll fix this, I promise.
March 14 1986
Mike scowled as he felt something trickle down his face. He wiped his face and scowled, Another fucking nosebleed. His sleeve was stained a dark color. Mike checked the time and cursed. “Fuck, I’m gonna be late!” He sprinted out of his house and grabbed his bike. He started biking towards Max’s house.
Mike rang the doorbell and Max answered, wearing her Walkman. “Your late asshole.” Mike just sighed and walked inside.
“How’s Lucas?” Max just smiled slightly before pulling him towards her room. Mike winced as his head pounded. Max let out a gasp.
”Your nose is bleeding,” Mike froze, They weren’t supposed to know! I was just supposed to die and then not be able to save me!
“It’s just a normal nosebleed. My dad just punched me earlier.” Max studied his face. I’m not lying I promise, please believe me. Max just grumbled before turning away.
“C’mon asshole,” Mike smiled in satisfaction. “You’re stupid anyway. I wouldn’t care if you were cursed.” Mike froze.
”W-what?”
Max turned around to face him. “You’re you useless you know? What have you ever contributed to the party. All you do is wait around for everyone else to solve your problems.”
“No! I” Mikes voice cracked, “I do stuff. I helped Steve, Dustin and Robin solve the code. I was with Steve when the - Russians questioned him. I helped blow up the mind flayer. I HELPED!” Did you really though? Robin would have solved the code without you and you just got in the way. Even when Will was possessed he didn’t need you. You barely helped find Will when he was missing. And now he’s all the way in California and you aren’t with him.
The scene shifted and he was in front of his father. “You’re a fairy aren’t you?!” He held up a fistful of letters and Mike could make out the W and L. “You wrote letters confessing your love to the Byers boy. You fucking fag!” Mike flicked away and ducked his head. Suddenly the landscape changed and it was red with black rocks floating an around.
“We both know you deserve this. After what you said to him. After how dirty and sinful you are.” Vecna stalked closer and vibes wrapped around him and pinned him to the pillar. Then Mike heard it, Smalltown boy,
You leave in the morning with everything
you own in a little black case
Alone on a platform, the wind and the
rain on a sad and lonely face
A portal opened and he could see Max crying and her Walkman on his ears. His body was floating blood was dripping out of his eyes. “You changed the order.” Mike commented and Vecna scowled at the portal.
“It’s going to leave a lasting impact even if you manage to escape, not that I’ll let you.” Mike scowled and looked at Max. She’s already lost too much. She lost Billy, and she cursed. She can’t lose me too. He didn’t give fuck if he died but apparently she did. He kicked out and Vecna’s leg. He groaned and the vines loosened. Mike shoved past him and sprinted towards the portal.
He gasped and suddenly he was laying Max’s arms and she was crying. “You asshole!” She sobbed out. “Why didn’t you tell me, tell us?!” Mike smiled softly and froze.
“I-I can’t see. My right eye, it’s” Max hugged him and he hugged back shakily. I love you Max,
March 29, 1986
Mike stared at Max’s body, lying on the hospital bed. “I don’t have a window to sneak through anymore, jerk.” He laughed dryly. “Wake up dumbass, I miss you. We all miss you. Lucas and El have been a mess since he got you. You’re blind in your left eye now, so we’re matching now.” Mike felt a tear drip down his face and he wiped it away. Please wake up, I need you
July 16, 1986
Max sighed as she stared at the comic. How the fuck do Mike and Steve read She’d seen both of them reading on multiple occasions and they were both also blind in one eye. She tossed the comic away and rolled over to stare at the window. Things were better now that her mom had died. She was managing to convince everyone that she had someone to live with. Then she heard a thud at the window. The window eased open and Mike stepped through, his hair wet.
“Fancy seeing you here,” He said smirking. Max just laughed and threw a pillow at him.
“Shut up asshole.” Max studied him and frowned. “Karen get too drunk?” Mike nodded and rolled up his sleeves. Max scowled and stared at them. Cuts littered them, some having small shards of glass sticking out of them.
“It’s fine,” Mike mumbled, glancing away. Max stood up and grabbed some tweezers.
“C’mere asshole,”
July 20, 1986
Max scowled as she heard a knock at the door. “I told you could come straight in asshole!” She opened the door and studied him. Good he isn’t injured for once, Mike walked into her room and stared at her very small makeup collection like it had personally offended him.
“Can you do makeup on someone else?” Mike asked suddenly. Max looked at him and smiled.
“Course dumbass. Why you help covering up your face?” Mike just scowled and punched her lightly.
“Oh, ha, ha. Seriously though, can you do mine?” Max’s eyes scanned him and she grinned.
“Sure, I need the practice anyway.”
************
Max watched as Mike looked at himself in the mirror. She but her lip, wondering if it was a bad idea to do this. Then he sprung up from the chair and collapsed in her bed. He screamed into her pillow.
“Hey! You’re gonna ruin my hard work! If you don’t like it, go wash it off!” Mike glanced up at her.
“I do like it, it’s just…” Mike hesitated and glanced down.
“Ice cream?” Billy had always offered her some when she was upset. Mike nodded gratefully and Max dragged him towards the fridge. She pulled out a tub of chocolate ice cream and grabbed two spoons. Mike took the tub with a grateful smile.
“Thanks,” he muttered softly. Can he go back to arguing with me? This feels wrong.
“No shit dumbass. Now tell me what’s wrong.” Mike stared at her.
“I’m not a boy. W-well I am but I’m - I’m trans, only I don’t think I am. At least like all the time. Like sometimes I hate dresses and sometimes U don't feel like I have gender.” Max stared and grinned softly.
“Thanks for telling me. I have some old dresses you can try on.” Mike smiled gratefully and set down his spoon. That means she’s wearing a binder… “How long have you been wearing your binder?” Mike’s face turned guilty.
“10 hours?” Max didn’t know how long you could wear one but that felt too long.
“Take it off once you’re trying on the dresses.” Mike nodded sheepishly.
“Thanks Max,”
“Do you want me to call you something else when you’re a girl?”
“U-um, yeah.” Mike looked at the table again. “Mimi. It’s not the my parents picked and-”
“You don’t need to explain why. I like it,” Max looked up at Mimi. Let’s go make her try on those stupid dresses.
August 15, 1986
Mike didn’t look up as he heard his window open. “Hey Max,” She didn’t answer. Mike glanced up and frowned. “What’s wrong,” Max looked scared and shook her head.
“N-Nothings wrong!” Mike stood up and walked over.
“Just tell me,”
“I think I’m like you. I’m trans too, but like now I feel like a boy sometimes and-” Mike hugged her and she froze.
“That’s cool. We can be genderfluid buddies.” Max pulled away and smiled gratefully. Mike then stood up and grinned. “Now I can make a group chat!”
Max frowned, “With who else?”
Mike grinned, “You’ll see.” He pulled out his phone and opened messages.
—————————————————————
I’m definitely my real gender :)
Mike created group
Mike added Max
Mike added Steve
Mike changed three names
Gaychild: Hi!
Gaychild: Welcome to our little genderfluid group!! :p
Transchild: What is this name asshole.
Transchild: Why’s Steve in here?
Mother: Why’s Max in here
Gaychild: Because they’re genderfluid
Gaychild: Duh
Transchild: This is a stupid name
—————————————————————
Max smiled at Mike, “Thanks asshole,”