╔═════ ∘◦ ☽ ﾐ ◦∘ ══════╗

𝗠𝗜𝗗𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧

𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓯𝓲𝓯𝓽𝓮𝓮𝓷:
"𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝'𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚢 𝙸 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞,
𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚊𝚖 𝚋𝚢𝚎𝚛𝚜."

╚═════ ∘◦ ミ ☾ ◦∘ ══════╝

MACKENZIE STAYED COMPLETELY still on the ground behind the red car. Dustin's frantic voice on Mike's walkie rang out, asking them if they copied, but nobody answered due to the fact that they were literally hiding from a monster. If Mackenzie thought she was going to die back at the cabin, she definitely thought she was going to die in this mall. She wondered how devastated her mom would be when she found out . . . no. Mackenzie Tate was going to live. She would not let the Upside Down take anything else from her. In order to do that, they had to escape.

The brunette glanced over at the rest to try and ask what they were going to do, but her eyes locked on the boy sitting next to her. Will had wide eyes and was taking short, shallow breaths.

"Mack," he whispered. "I can't breathe."

She shook her head. "It's gonna be okay, Bubs. Just listen to my voice, okay?"

"Mack," he whimpered. "I-I . . . I'm scared."

"I am too," she breathed out. "But I will not let it hurt you."

He looked at her with his eyes shining with tears. "Do you promise?"

Mackenzie decided she was insane. She was absolutely out of her goddamn mind, but she didn't care. None of that mattered right now. If anything bad was to happen in this mall, she thought she might as well make it memorable by having at least one spark of happiness. It was now or never. Adrenaline and courage flowed through her veins as she grabbed the boy's face and pressed her lips to his.

Will made a small noise of surprise. She wondered if she had just fucked everything up for the worst, but Will ultimately kissed her back and placed his hands gently on her waist. It was urgent, a little messy, and had a whole ton of passion. To Mackenzie, it was absolutely perfect. She never thought her first kiss would be with Will Byers (even though she always wished he would be the one to capture it from her), but here it was.

She pulled away reluctantly, but kept her hands on his face. Will was staring at her with eyes swimming with emotions and rosy cheeks, but he was taking normal breaths now. It took all of their willpower to not surge forward again and keep kissing. They were almost . . . intoxicating.

The world seemed to stop spinning as they looked into each other's eyes, the shrieks and footsteps of the Mind Flayer fading to a dull noise in the background. A horrible monster from the Upside Down wrecking havoc behind them was temporarily forgotten. It was just Mackenzie and Will, like it always had been, but so much more.

It could've just been her imagination, but she swore the lights inside the mall shined a little brighter. A new universe, still young, warm, and full of light, had formed. Each freckle on Will's face was a star and Mackenzie's eyes were filled with the surrounding planets. Galaxies, multiple kinds, were swirling with a new life. This new universe was ready, practically begging, to be discovered. Both of them wanted to embark on the journey that would change their lives forever.

And suddenly, astronomy became Will Byers' and Mackenzie Tate's favorite subject.

"I promise that he will never get you again," she said softly. "Not now, not ever."

Will blinked momentarily, still dazed from this kiss. "You really need to teach me how to be brave."

She shook her head with a quiet chuckle. "You already are. In fact, you're the bravest person I know. You've been through so much and you still find a way to persevere. That's why I love you, William Byers."

Those three words. They had exchanged them many times before, but this one was so much more genuine. She heard Will's breath hitch and the corners of his mouth began to pick up. However, as he went to respond, a crashing sound was heard from behind them. Mackenzie let go of Will and their new universe for the time being and peeked her head up, only to see the Mind Flayer completely interested in The Gap store. She quickly got back down.

"They're in trouble," she breathed out.

Lucas then pulled out his Wrist Rocket.

"What are you doing?" Nancy asked.

"Don't worry."

He stood up and loaded a rock in it. Mackenzie didn't see where he pointed it, but she heard the popping of a balloon. The Mind Flayer screeched, walking quickly over to wherever the balloon was.

"Go!" Jonathan yelled.

Will grabbed Mackenzie's hand and pulled her up after him. They ran through the kitchen of the pizza place and entered the mall tunnels through a door. The whole group ran quickly up the stairs. Mackenzie's calves burned and her Converse were making her feet hurt (they were definitely not running shoes), but she couldn't stop now.

They finally made it outside. Will, Lucas, and Mackenzie all scrambled into the car when the engine of another car revved again. She looked out the window to see Billy Hargrove's blue Camaro making its way up to the mall, more specifically, them, instead of just sitting there and staring at them like he had done a little while before. Mackenzie's eyes widened as Jonathan got in the driver's seat and Nancy stayed outside. Nancy cocked the gun in her hand and pointed it straight at Billy's car.

Jonathan tried to start the car, but it didn't work. Billy's car sped up faster and faster as he approached them. Nancy began firing shots, Mackenzie flinching at the loud noise.

"Jonathan," Mackenzie urged, fear in her her voice. "We gotta go!"

The car wouldn't start and Nancy's bullets weren't working. Mackenzie squeezed Will's hand tight and shut her eyes as the blinding headlights got closer. However, she didn't feel a crash. She opened her eyes again to see Steve and Robin sitting in a yellow convertible, both theirs and Billy's cars resulting in a multitude of damages from the interception by Steve. Flayed Billy was left unconscious as his car caught on fire while Steve and Robin looked disoriented.

Screeching was heard again. Mackenzie glanced up to see the Mind Flayer on top of the mall. Jonathan, with one final push, finally got the car started. Nancy hopped in the passenger seat and Jonathan drove up to Steve and Robin, honking the horn.

"Get in!" Nancy yelled.

They both got in the very back and Jonathan took off. Mackenzie could hear the Mind Flayer obviously following them, but Jonathan stepped on the gas and went faster than Mackenzie had ever felt in her life. She took a deep breath, leaning back in her seat.

"Hey," Will said quietly, squeezing her hand gently.

Mackenzie glanced over at him. "Yeah?"

He smiled softly at her. "I love you too, Mackenzie Tate."

A supernova exploded in their universe. The aftermath left the two with rapidly beating hearts and blushing cheeks.

"Finally," Lucas groaned. "I've only been waiting about, what, three years?"

Mackenzie pushed Lucas' shoulder despite the smile she had on her face. The squelching footsteps of the Mind Flayer was still behind them, but she felt like she was on cloud nine.

They drove farther and farther away from the mall. Mackenzie's anxiety peaked as the Mind Flayer shrieked at them again.

"Dusty-Bun, you copy?"

Mackenzie's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she turned to the backseat where Robin was holding a walkie.

"I copy, Suzie-Poo. It sounds much better now, thanks."

Her jaw dropped and she turned back around. She shared impressed looks with Will and Lucas. Suzie was real, and this was proof. All the doubt that she had from that one day on the hill washed away. She couldn't wait to tell Max.

"Okay, so listen, do you know Planck's Constant?" Dustin questioned, needing to give the numbers to Bald Eagle so that they could enter the vault underground.

"Do you know the Earth orbits the Sun?" Suzie countered.

Mackenzie glanced over at Will. "I'm never going to science camp."

Will chuckled and nudged her with his elbow gently.

"Okay, so I know it starts with two sixes, and then a . . . w-what is it?" Dustin stammered.

"Okay, let me just be clear on this. I haven't heard from you in a week, and now you want a mathematical equation that you should know, so you can . . . save the world?"

"Suzie-Poo, I promise I will make it up to you as soon as possible."

"You can make it up to me now," Suzie suggested.

"What?"

"I want to hear it."

Mackenzie's face scrunched up in confusion. What it was, Mackenzie didn't know, but she was tempted to rip the walkie out of Robin's hand and demand that Suzie just give Dustin the fucking number.

Apparently, Dustin did, and he sounded panicked. "Not right now."

"Yes, now, Dusty-Bun."

"Suzie-Poo, this is urgent."

"Yes, yes, you're saving the world, I heard you the first time. But, Ged is also saving Earthsea and he's about to confront the shadow, so this is Suzie, signing off."

"Wait, wait, wait! Okay, okay, okay . . ." Dustin paused for a moment.

Mackenzie raised an eyebrow, waiting for whatever Dustin had to do. However, she never expected for him to start singing.

"Turn around, look at what you see, in her face, the mirror of your dreams."

Suzie joined in, the two of them beginning to harmonize. "Make believe I'm everywhere, given in the light, written on the pages is the answer to a never-ending story! Ah-ah-ah!"

Mackenzie blinked in shock. It wasn't that Dustin and Suzie sounded bad or anything, they actually sounded quite good. She just wasn't sure, however, why the two of them were singing when they had bigger problems, such as evil Russians and a deadly inter-dimensional monster.

"Reach the stars, fly a fantasy," they continued. "Dream a dream, and what you see will be. Rhymes that keep their secrets will unfold behind the clouds, and there upon a rainbow is the answer to a never-ending story! Ah-ah-ah! Story! Ah-ah-ah!"

The both of them stopped singing. "Planck's Constant is six-point-six-two-six-zero-seven-zero-zero-four," Suzie told Dustin.

"You just saved the world," Dustin breathed out.

"Gosh, I miss you, Dusty-Bun."

"And I miss you more, Suzie-Poo."

Mackenzie looked over at Will, her eyes wide. "Are you just as confused as I am?"

"Possibly even more," he responded.

Mackenzie let out a laugh at that. Will began to laugh with her, both of them laughing so hard they had to lean on each other for support. They weren't really sure what they were laughing at, nothing was funny about it. Maybe it was the fact they were a little delusional from all the events that had happened or maybe it was from the pure bliss they felt after confessing their feelings for each other, they didn't know. But it felt good to smile after being terrified.

The Mind Flayer suddenly shrieked a war cry, making the two teenagers in love stop laughing.

"It's turning around," Steve announced.

"What?" Nancy asked.

"It's turning around!"

"Maybe we wore it out," Lucas suggested.

"I don't think so," Jonathan responded. "Hold on."

He turned the car around sharply, sending Mackenzie crashing into Will. She lifted her head up only to be met by his face right there. If she leaned two inches forwards, she would kiss him again. The thought was tempting, but Mackenzie knew that they had to focus on the task ahead.

It was time for Operation Firework.

They reached the mall and gathered all of Lucas' fireworks, spreading them out evenly between all of them. All of them took different parts of the top floor in groups, Robin and Steve being one and Nancy and Jonathan being another. Mackenzie stayed with Lucas and Will, her jaw clenched in anger as she saw El laying on the ground behind Billy who was staring up at the Mind Flayer. Max and Mike were nowhere to be found.

An arm from the Mind Flayer reached out to take El, but Lucas flung a firework at it. It wailed in pain and anger from the sudden noise.

"Flay this, you ugly piece of shit!" he yelled, throwing another firework into its mouth.

Mackenzie turned to Will, both of them still holding each other's hands. "You up for this?"

He nodded and held up their interlocked hands. "Me and you against the world."

She smirked at him as they walked closer to the balcony and threw fireworks at the Mind Flayer together. It seemed like it was distracting the monster which meant their plan was working. However, as Mackenzie looked at the floor, she saw Billy looming over El.

"We're out!" Will exclaimed.

"Damn it!" Lucas cursed.

Smoke filled the mall. Even though it was thick, Mackenzie was able to see what was going on as it dissipated into the air. She saw Billy, with no black veins on his body, stand up from being over El. It all seemed to go in slow motion as an arm from the Mind Flayer reached out to take El, but Billy caught it in his hands and tried to push it backwards.

Mackenzie gasped as multiple arms reached out and attached themselves to Billy. Will let go of her hand and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her in closer as they watched the scene unfold in front of them. Billy let out a loud scream with black blood pouring from his mouth, twisting the insides of Mackenzie's stomach uncomfortably for the third time today. A final arm thrust itself through Billy's chest and clasped onto his heart, making Mackenzie turn her head and bury it into Will's chest. She didn't want to watch anymore.

"Billy!" Max screamed.

It was so agonizing that it brought Mackenzie to tears. She heard thrashing, and she picked her head up only to see the Mind Flayer stumbling around the mall.

The Gate, Mackenzie thought to herself. They closed the Gate.

She watched with a multitude of emotions as the Mind Flayer fell to the ground, no longer moving and presumably dead. And suddenly, through relieved glances from everyone on the top floor and cries of pain from Max down below, Mackenzie felt like she could breathe again. It was over.

༻✦༺༻✧༺༻✦༺

MACKENZIE SAT WITH her head on Will's shoulder in the back of the ambulance. A blanket was wrapped around the two of them. Neither of them were saying a word despite the others having some soft conversations in the back. There were really no words to describe what had just happened. Mackenzie wasn't really sure she even wanted to talk about it. The neon sign on the mall was flickering, but unlike the comfort and joy it once brought her, it only made her feel sick to her stomach.

Will lifted his eyesight from looking down at the girl adoringly to something in the distance. Mackenzie picked her head up to see Joyce standing there.

"Mack," Will said softly.

She nodded. "Go." When he didn't budge, she rolled her eyes and pushed his shoulder gently. "Go."

He seemed to hesitate for a moment before he leaned over and kissed her cheek briefly. Mackenzie's face burned red from the interaction as Will got up from under the blanket and ran up to his mother.

She felt the tip of a shoe nudge her in the back. "Ooh, Kenzie has a boyfriend," Steve teased.

Mackenzie rolled her eyes playfully. "Be quiet, Steve."

She watched as Joyce and Will threw their arms around each other. Mackenzie felt a small smile make its way onto her face as she watched them embrace. Sighing, she pulled the blanket around herself tighter. She noticed Hopper wasn't with Joyce, and she had a really bad feeling as to why he wasn't.

"Kenz!"

Mackenzie looked around for a moment before seeing Megan run towards her. She let out a sob and dropped the blanket from around her, running up to meet her little sister. Once they were close enough, Mackenzie leaned down and captured her sister in her arms. She picked Megan up like she used to do when she was little. Even though she was grown now, it didn't matter. Mackenzie felt her mother embrace them both.

"My baby," Elizabeth cried. "Oh my God, what happened? You were gone for so long and then—"

"A lot happened," Mackenzie let out. "I can't explain it."

Megan hugged Mackenzie a little tighter. "I'm just glad you're okay."

Okay. Mackenzie wasn't sure she was really okay, but for the sake of Megan, she didn't say anything. Even though she knew the Mind Flayer was gone, she was pretty sure its image would haunt her for the rest of her life.

And for the first time in the last couple of days, Mackenzie let her tears fall freely down her cheeks. She didn't know if they were ever going to stop.

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well . . . it finally happened y'all