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"HEY, NANCE!" KAREN CALLED, SEB WATCHING NANCY'S MOTHER WALK TOWARDS THEM, BOX IN HAND. "I found more of your old stuff in the attic." She smiled, Seb sat in the boot of the car. Dustin and Steve were folding clothes around him, Robin sat next to him. "Mr. Rabbit." The girl spoke, picking up her old stuffed rabbit. "It's okay if you wanna save him, you know?" Her mother teased, Nancy placing the rabbit back. "No, he'll be more loved in a new home." She spoke, taking the box off of her mother with a smile. The group were donating their belongings to the people in need after what happened.

Well, Seb was just tagging along.

A vehicle approached, Karen staring at it confused. "Someone order a pizza?" She asked, Seb folding a t-shirt as Nancy's brows furrowed. "Pizza?" She asked, watching the Surfer boy pizza van approach the driveway. Handing the T-shirt to Robin, the girl smiled, Seb sorting out boxes in the back of the car. The horn blared, Seb turning to it with the rest of the group. "No way." Johnathan let out, Will leaning forward. "What-" He stopped himself, looking to one person in particular. "Is that Sebastian?" He asked, Mike confused. "What?" He spoke, El watching them all stare at him. He was here? The doors opened, making Seb's face drop. His sister. El. Eleven. Was here. She was real. The two immediately made eye contact, Robin looking between the two. Mike and Will got out after, Johnathan and Argyle leaving the van last. Seb walked forward slowly, El starting to run. Seb grunted, the impact of his sister throwing herself at him stunning him. Tears fell down her cheeks, Seb letting himself melt into his sister.

"I thought you died." El spoke lowly, Seb holding her head. "I'm okay." He spoke, people reuniting around them. Will hugged Dustin tightly, Mike hugged his mother and Nancy hugged Johnathan, Seb feeling his eyes sting. Gulping, El let go of the boy, scanning him up and down. "What happened?" Seb immediately asked, hand on the top of her head. Smiling warmly, she held his wrist. "Papa." She spoke simply, watching her brother's brows furrow. "Like, Papa?" He asked, the girl nodding. She was pulled into another hug, Seb squeezing her tightly. "I'm so sorry. So sorry." He whispered, El leaning into his chest. "I'm okay." She assured, Will and Dustin staring at them. "Yeah. I was shocked too." The latter spoke, Will glancing at him. The twins separated, El feeling Will's stare. Looking to them, Seb did the same. Awkwardly, Seb raised a hand to wave, Will stopping him with a tight hug. "Oh, my God." The Byers boy spoke stunned, Seb stood frozen.

El smiled at his expression, Will squeezing the boy. "Ow." Seb winced, Will letting go and clearing his throat. "Uh- sorry." He spoke, Seb watching him wipe his eyes. His face fell at this. Will was crying over him? Observing his state, Seb felt something in his heart. Something unfamiliar. "Sebastian?" Mike asked, Seb looking to his left. The two were in silence, Mike gulping as he genuinely didn't know what to say. Seb was the same, El too busy reuniting with Dustin. Will looked between the two, smiling. "Hello." Sebastian spoke quietly, Mike smiling a little. Sebastian did the same, the two grinning before they hugged each other. "Where's Lucas?" El asked, the two separating to see Will and El questioning Dustin. "He's at the hospital." Dustin spoke, gulping as El's brows furrowed. "Is he hurt?" She asked, Will nodding. "No, he's-" Dustin stopped himself in realisation. "Oh God. You don't know." He spoke, Will looking between Dustin and Seb,

heavily confused.

☆

THE DOOR OPENED, LUCAS LOOKING UP TO SEE MIKE AND WILL STARING BACK AT HIM. "Oh, my God." He let out, standing up quickly to meet the two in a hug. "We've been calling you guys like crazy." Lucas spoke, Mike nodding. "I know." He uttered, Lucas looking past them to see El with a hoodie on, Sebastian beside her. The three boys separated, Lucas hugging both El and Sebastian instead. "I'm sorry." El whispered, Lucas sniffling as Seb rubbed his back lightly. El glanced at Max, the girl having multiple casts around her limbs. Her complexion was pale, the neck brace holding her head up as she lay unconscious, monitor beeping. Separating from the hug, everyone looked to Max, El leading the way. Johnathan and Nancy stayed behind, Mike watching El lean her head on Seb's shoulder. Even Seb seemed to be taken aback, expecting it to be Mike. Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, they all looked over Max silently. In respect.

"Do they know," El began, Seb leaning out of the way. "when she will wake?" The girl asked, Lucas shaking his head. "No." He answered, staring at Max. "They say she might not. Her heart stopped. For over a minute." Seb glanced over Max, gulping. "She died. I... I mean, clinically, but... then she came back." Seb looked to Lucas as he spoke. "The doctors don't know how." Lucas spoke, inhaling deeply. "They say it's a miracle." Lucas spoke towards Seb, him looking towards his sister. Mike and Will did the same, El detaching herself from her brother to sit on Max's hospital bed. "I'm here, Max." El told the girl, linking hands with her as Seb stared at the back of her head. He was so insanely proud of his sister. So so proud. Closing her eyes, El inhaled deeply. Everyone vanished into smoke,

El seeing nothing but darkness.

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"OH JESUS." JOHNATHAN LET OUT, ENTERING THE CABIN FIRST, EVERYONE OBSERVING IT. Seb stood outside, seemingly frozen as El turned back to him. She scanned his features, her own falling. "It's okay." She soothed, Seb looking to her. The two met eyes, El nodding to him convincingly. "I'm here." She spoke gently, hearing Mike curse about how much of a mess it was in the cabin. The soothing worked, Sebastian stepping forward slowly. Linking arms, the twins walked in together, watching everyone gaze around. His chest felt tight, El squeezing his hand. "This place is a total disaster." Mike continued, Seb looking to him. "Well that's a problem." Johnathan pointed out, Seb now noticing the large hole on the roof. Smiling gently, he liked this feeling. "I get we gotta hide Supergirl and Superboy, but this isn't exactly the Fortress of Solitude, man." Argyle let out, Sebastian looking to him. He had no clue at all who this man was, El only using the word 'brochachos' to explain.

"It's more like a fortress of grodiness." Argyle mindlessly spoke, Will behind him. "Come on, guys, seriously." Nancy scoffed, Argyle turning to her. "I've seen Mike's room worse than this." She smiled, Mike scoffing as Nancy winked towards Seb. His smile grew, letting go of El. "Ah, brutal." Argyle spoke, Seb grinning. "That must hurt." He let out, Argyle nodding. "Exactly!" He pointed, El watching her brother socialise with a smile. "Ah! See?" Everyone heard the pipes grumble, Nancy turning on the tap. "Water still works." She found the optimism, looking through the cupboards for cleaning supplies.  "And, voila. Cleaning supplies." She found what she wanted, placing them on the table as Seb's eyebrows raised.

––––––☆––––––

"THAT'S GOOD." JOHNATHAN SPOKE, HAMMERING THE NAIL INTO THE BOARDED WINDOW AS NANCY LOOKED BEHIND HER, CONFUSED. Argyle crouched down gently, observing something on the dirt. "What's he doing?" She asked with a smile, Johnathan glancing back. "Looks like he's gathering mushrooms." He spoke, the two watching Argyle raise the plant to the sky as if it was some sort of God. Seb, Mike, El and Will cleaned the inside of the cabin as Johnathan sighed in embarrassment. "He's a little on the eccentric side." He spoke, Nancy laughing. "Welcome to the club, right?" She spoke, Johnathan getting another nail. "Yeah, welcome to the club." He handed her the nail, watching her get to work. "Hey, Nancy?" He started, the girl turning back to him. "Yeah?" She asked, Johnathan shrugging. "I'm sorry I wasn't here." He admitted, Nancy shrugging. "Oh. I mean... to be honest, I'm kinda glad you weren't." She looked down, Johnathan's brows furrowing.

"I just mean, I'm glad you were with Mike." She admitted, nodding. "And Will." She smiled, Johnathan doing the same. "And I'm... I'm glad you were here too." He shrugged, Nancy nodding. "Otherwise, who'd have been in charge? Steve?" He joked, chuckling as Nancy tilted her head. "He's actually grown up quite a bit, you know?" The girl defended the Harrington, shrugging. "Yeah." Johnathan spoke quickly, "Yeah, I'm sure." He uttered, the two moving back to the window. "Hey." Johnathan spoke, Nancy looking to him again. "Yeah?" She spoke, Johnathan staring at her. "Are we okay?" He asked genuinely, the girl taken aback. "Yeah." She spoke as if it were obvious, Johnathan staring at her. "Yeah?" He made sure, Nancy nodding. "Yeah, totally. It's just... You know, it's hard." She continued, Johnathan stayed silent. "I feel as if life keeps throwing things in the way of our big plans." She joked, Johnathan smiling along. "Yeah, sure seems like that." He agreed, Nancy smiling warmly. "You think it's too late to throw 'saving the world' on our college resume?"

Johnathan chuckled at her joke, the two in silence for a moment. "Your... application letter..." Johnathan felt his heart sink. It was now or never to tell her. "Not that it matters at all anymore, but... did it ever come?" She asked, Johnathan squeezing his lips shut. "No. No, uh... Not yet." He lied, shrugging. The two hammered awkwardly, Johnathan glancing at her. "Thank you." Seb smiled, El throwing him the last piece of trash before moving to her bedroom. Waving her hand, the door shut three inches, Seb tying the bag up mindlessly. "Did she... talk to you at all?" Will asked Mike, Seb slowly looking up at their backs. "Not much." Mike replied, the two facing El's door. "I mean, a little-" "What's going on?" The two turned to Seb, him confused. "About Dr. Brenner." Mike spoke, Will watching Seb's jaw clench. "He said El wasn't ready." Mike continued, Seb looking to El's door. "And?" He inquired, Mike sighing. "She's starting to think he was right." He spoke, Seb scoffing. "Well that's not true. Max isn't dead because of her." Seb spoke, Will nodding in agreement. "Yeah." He spoke, the two sharing a nod.

"It's just, she's, uh-" Mike stopped himself, watching Seb lean forward expectantly. "She's never lost before." He spoke, Seb confused. "Not like this." Mike added, Will looking between the two. "She'll have another chance. They both will." He spoke, Seb wincing. "I hope not." He admitted, Mike nodding. "Let's hope One is dead and rotting." He spoke towards Seb as if seeking approval, the boy shrugging. "He's not." Will spoke, both boys looking towards him. "Now that I'm here, in Hawkins, I can feel him." Will admitted, Seb's expression faltering. "And he's hurt." Will spoke, Seb humming. "Understandable." He let out, Will continuing. "He's hurting. But he's still alive." Seb's smile faltered, Mike and the boy keeping their eyes on the Byers boy. "It's strange, knowing now who it was this whole time, but... I can still remember what he thinks," Will looked to Seb. "and how he thinks." The boy spoke, Seb staring at him. "And he's not going to stop. Ever. Not until he's taken everything." Seb paled, Will's tone getting lower.

"And everyone. We have to kill him." Will seemed to beg Sebastian, him nodding. Mike put a hand on Will's shoulder, looking between the two. "And we will. We will." He admitted, a vehicle approaching. Seb froze, moving to look out of the window in the bathroom. The other boys joined, seeing a black car. Seb's eyes widened, Mike cursing. "Who is that?" He asked, Johnathan staring at the car. "Government." He spoke, Will looking to Seb. The boy simply walked away, getting out of the cabin through the back. He can't be found. Not like this. Not this early. Mike and Will shared a nod, the back door closing as crouched behind the cabin. El mindlessly cleared her bedroom, finding a bottle...

The same one her and Max used in their sleepover.

Tears stung her eyes, El hearing a ticking outside. Squinting, the girl put the bottle down, standing up slowly. The door opened, Hopper smiling at her. "Hey, kid." He spoke, El letting tears fly down her cheeks. She laughed dryly, crying immediately. "Hi." She croaked out, the two hugging tightly. Hopper rested his head on El's, smiling warmly. "Mom!" Will spoke, hugging Joyce tightly. Nancy watched Johnathan rush to his mother, the whole family hugging. Argyle smiled lightly, mushrooms in hand as he stood with Nancy and Mike. The latter perked up, jogging away. "Seb! It's okay." He assured, Seb staring at him. "Are you guys alright?" She asked, cupping both of her children's faces. "Yes." Will smiled, tears in his own eyes. "Mrs Byers." Mike called, Joyce looking to him before she paled. Seb trailed behind him, his own eyes not leaving hers. Joyce gasped out, her children moving out of the way. "Is it you?" She asked, tears rolling down her cheeks as Seb nodded slowly. For an entire year, she had believed she'd killed the poor boy, him walking over to her.

Cupping his face, the woman sniffled. "I'm so sorry, honey." She spoke, Seb letting himself get held by the woman. "Sweet." Argyle whispered to Johnathan as to not break the moment. Will scowled at him, Seb leaning his head on the woman's shoulder. "I'm so sorry." Joyce apologised profusely, Seb staying silent. El and Hopper left the cabin, the latter tensing immediately once he saw Seb's back. Walking down the steps silently, he stalked towards the boy, Joyce noticing as he let go of the boy. Seb's brows furrowed, seeing Joyce look behind him. Turning around slowly, the boy's lips immediately squeezed shut, everyone seemingly silent as they waited. Hopper felt his eyes sting, Seb shrinking under his gaze. This time, Seb was the one to rush forward, Joyce smiling warmly as tears ran down his cheeks. Hopper let one run down his own, wrapping his arms tightly around the boy. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." Seb begged, Hopper holding the boy's head. "Shh... It's alright, buddy." He whispered, Seb sobbing in his arms.

"I just wanted to help." Seb cried out, Hopper inhaling sharply as his shirt dampened with Seb's tears. "I know. I know." He spoke, feeling Seb shake in his hold. Bringing the boy back, Seb sniffled, meeting eyes with Hopper. "You did help. I'm glad you're okay." He spoke, smiling as Seb quivered one back before going back to hugging the man as tight as he could. Looking over Seb, he nodded to her, Stinson nodding back with a smile as she leant on the bonnet of the car. Will watched the whole ordeal before shivering, feeling the nape of his neck. His brother was the first to notice him turn around, doing the same. The clouds rumbled, everyone gradually glancing up at it. Will panted panicked, thunder rumbling as Seb stayed close to Hopper. Particles fell like rain, everyone staring at it. The ones who knew and the ones who didn't. Hopper started walking through the woods, Seb quick to follow. Stinson left urgently, the group finding themselves on a hill. Seb inhaled sharply recognising the hill as Hopper looked to him.

Walking up the hill, everyone followed Seb, the boy confused. The flowers were vibrant and flowing in the wind before he got to the top. The spot where he sat. The flowers were grey and rotten, the other side of the hill completely dead. Everyone else joined him, El stepping forward and holding his hand. She pulled a dead flower from it's stem,

Seb watching Hawkins experience red thunder.

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now we wait for season five! yay...

[2681 words!]

Hope you enjoyed!!!

Byeee!