[Physical affection isn't something that Max is used to by any means. Occasionally she and Eddie hug, but overall it's not a thing that happens a lot in general.
Still. When Steve wraps his arms around her in a hug, for once she doesn't hesitate to hug him back, burying her face into his shoulder in a way she never could or would with her actual stepbrother. But then Steve's slowly becoming more of a brother to her than Billy's ever been.
She doesn't say anything when he tells her she's not a coward. She is, in so many ways. When it comes to Billy, when it comes to unexpected attacks, monsters...in so many ways she feels like a child afraid of the dark. And that's not something she can afford here OR back home for so many reasons.]
[ there's a moment there where steve wonders if maybe - possibly - she's not the hugging type. that he possibly has crossed a line. but then max wraps her arms back around him and buries her face in his shoulder and steve squeezes her back. ]
I'm actually a really great person to cry on, so don't worry about it.
[A muffled sound escapes her - somewhere between a sob and a laugh, and she nods against him.]
Yeah, you are.
[Because he's not mocking her for crying or calling her weak. She lets herself hold onto him a moment longer before she forces herself to pull away, sniffing and trying to smile.]
[ he'll take the half of that that sounds more like a laugh as a win, waiting until she pulls away to sit back himself, brows arched. ]
Told you. [ and then with a smile, he'll reach out and kind of tussle the top of her head, standing to reach down and pick up the discarded rag. ] You don't have to apologize, either. Half the shit that happens out there is enough to make me want to cry myself to sleep maybe every other night. So.
[Max doesn't even scowl when he musses her hair, and she watches as he picks up the rag from the floor, pausing at that revelation. It's not at all expected.]
You get scared?
[There's a hint of doubt in her voice. She'd seen him use himself as bait for the demogorgons back home. He definitely hadn't seemed afraid. It's hard to imagine he gets scared of much of anything after that.
Still. Even if he's just trying to make her feel a little better about being a total wuss, it's a nice gesture.]
[The words do actually make her feel a little better even under the crushing weight of the guilt she feels. To hear that someone like Steve gets scared is somehow reassuring to her. It's not something Billy or Neil would ever admit to, regardless of the circumstances. Despite everything, a tiny smile touches her mouth and she shrugs.]
I watched you take on a pack of demogorgons without batting an eyelash. You didn't seem afraid then, so I guess I thought maybe you just didn't get scared.
[She knows that's true enough when it comes to herself. She just hadn't really applied it to anyone else. She exhales slowly, watching him look around.]
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Still. When Steve wraps his arms around her in a hug, for once she doesn't hesitate to hug him back, burying her face into his shoulder in a way she never could or would with her actual stepbrother. But then Steve's slowly becoming more of a brother to her than Billy's ever been.
She doesn't say anything when he tells her she's not a coward. She is, in so many ways. When it comes to Billy, when it comes to unexpected attacks, monsters...in so many ways she feels like a child afraid of the dark. And that's not something she can afford here OR back home for so many reasons.]
Sorry for crying all over you.
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I'm actually a really great person to cry on, so don't worry about it.
[ because humor??? helps??? ]
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Yeah, you are.
[Because he's not mocking her for crying or calling her weak. She lets herself hold onto him a moment longer before she forces herself to pull away, sniffing and trying to smile.]
Sorry.
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Told you. [ and then with a smile, he'll reach out and kind of tussle the top of her head, standing to reach down and pick up the discarded rag. ] You don't have to apologize, either. Half the shit that happens out there is enough to make me want to cry myself to sleep maybe every other night. So.
[ shrug. ]
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You get scared?
[There's a hint of doubt in her voice. She'd seen him use himself as bait for the demogorgons back home. He definitely hadn't seemed afraid. It's hard to imagine he gets scared of much of anything after that.
Still. Even if he's just trying to make her feel a little better about being a total wuss, it's a nice gesture.]
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You're kidding me, right? Shit yeah I get scared. Have you looked outside like ever?
[ he looks over at max with a raised brow, like she was completely crazy for even asking. ]
I'd be more worried about people who didn't. Those are the crazy ones.
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I watched you take on a pack of demogorgons without batting an eyelash. You didn't seem afraid then, so I guess I thought maybe you just didn't get scared.
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Yeah no, seeming scared and being scared are totally different things.
[ he tosses the rag into the sink, looking around for some kind of first aid kid - they keep those in the kitchen, right? ]
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What are you looking for?
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A bandage? They should be in here, right?
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[He's gotten a lot of it stocked up.]
I can get it, though.