𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑭𝑰𝑭𝑻𝑬𝑬𝑵

❛ Holy shit. Eleven? ❜

❦

Christmas hit Hawkins like a bomb, and everything seemed like was back to normal. Steve and Nancy are back to being happy, cuddling on the couch in the Wheeler's living room, while Jonathan is secretly heartbroken, but is just thankful that his brother is safe and able to enjoy his holiday.

Whereas, Christmas at the Garcia's household has never been good. This year was no different. Sasha Garcia refused to exit her room, claiming this time of her year reminded her too much of her husband. So Thomas and Malia spent Christmas Eve at the police station, stuffing their faces with the food and constantly pissing off the officers. Hopper was the one who allowed them to attend, as seen as he knew about how they missed out on Christmas each year. Malia loved every second of it, and Thomas hadn't smiled so much in his life.

And before everyone realises, Halloween is right around the corner. This also means that school has started up again, and Malia buries her face in her hands while she slides down her seat in the front seat of her brother's car.

"If I fail another year, I'm going to have to stay back," She groans, "That's— That's— oh my god. That's horrific."

Thomas snorts from beside her, pulling his car into a spot in the school's parking lot, "Malia, will you stop worrying? It's not like you're going to get an amazing job even if you do pass. You're a million miles from getting a good job, maybe staying at school another year is a good thing."

Her hands snap down from her face and she turns to him, "You're kidding, right? How on earth is that a good thing?" A slow smirk works it's way onto her face, "Awh. Is it because you want me to stay home for longer?"

He narrows his eyes at her, "Incase you haven't noticed, I'm going to pass the finals and leave this shitty town as soon as possible, and become a doctor, so I don't give two shits on whether or not you stay at home for longer."

"Whatever," She grumbles, throwing her door open and stepping out.

A car bounces into a parking spot a few places down from Malia. Music blasts through the windows and Malia leans against the car behind her, crossing her arms. Thomas stands beside her, his arms shoved in his pockets.

"Who's that?" She questions.

Thomas follows her gaze, watching as a younger ginger girl and a slightly older boy step out of the car. The boy flicks his cigarette to the ground while watching the ginger girl skate towards the middle school.

"I have no clue. New kids, I presume," He grumbles, glancing over at his sister, "What you thinking?

She tilts her head, pursing her lips and watching the boy walk towards the high school, "Hard home life. They're brother and sister, but by her hair colour I'm guessing step siblings. They moved here because... uh, I don't know... problems at home. Possible something to do with a parent."

Thomas laughs, throwing his head back, "Gotta disagree with you on that one. I reckon they're actual siblings, he just got the brown hair gene and that they moved here because one of their parents got a new job."

She rolls her eyes, "That's so stereotypical."

Steve Harrington walks over, with Nancy Wheeler clinging to his side. He sends a soft smile to Malia, which she returns with a nod. "Let me guess, you think they're step siblings with a rough home life?" Steve smirks, "Because same."

She laughs, nudging Thomas' side, "See? Even Steven agrees."

Nancy watches the trio with furrowed eyebrows, "What are you talking about?"

Thomas turns to her, "We've been doing this thing since we were younger, where we try guess the backstory of new kids."

"I'm almost always right," Malia smirks, as the group begin to make their way towards the school.

"Almost always," Thomas mutters.

She glances up at him, an eyebrow raised, "And how many times have you been right exactly? Oh, yeah, never."

He sucks in a deep breath, shaking his head before breaking away from the group to join his friends, "See you later, shithead." He waves her goodbye.

She flicks him off, smiling, "Bye, dickhead." She chuckles to herself before averting her gaze to Steve and Nancy at her side, "It's nice to see you two cozy again. But third wheeling isn't a hobby of mine anymore, so I'm going to scout out Jonathan." She turns down a hallway, "Bye."

"Bye," The pair laugh, sending her a small wave before she disappears from their view.

❦

Malia stands outside the cabin that Hopper instructed her to meet him at. She stands in the freezing snow, shivering with Thomas' large coat wrapped around her body.

"Hopper," She sighs, noticing the man step through the trees, "I'm freezing. Why am I here? In fact, why are—" She comes a stop when a young girl steps out from behind Hopper's large form and Malia's eyes go wide, "Holy shit. Eleven?"

The small girl nods softly, and a small smile spread across her cheeks when a large one breaks out on Malia's face. Eleven is dressed in a baggy plait jacket as well, and a farmers hat is placed on her head, obviously Hopper's.

Hopper motions towards the cabin, and the two girls slowly follow behind him. He opens the door, banging his snowy boots on the frame before stepping through, and Malia does the same. Eleven hesitates for a moment before copying them both.

"My granddad used to live here," Hopper says, throwing off his jacket, "A long time ago. I mainly use it for storage now. Lot of history here."

Malia stands still, while Eleven wanders off slightly, her eyes flicking all over the dirty cabin. Malia turns to Hopper, nudging him harshly with her elbow.

"What are you doing? What am I doing? I'm so confused." She hisses quietly.

"She needs somewhere to stay, where the lab can't find her and you're here because you're the perfect person to help her through this, okay?" He explains in a hushed tone before straightening up, glancing at Eleven, "So, uh. . . what do you think? It's a work-in-progress. Once we fix it up, it's gonna be nice. Real nice."

Malia hums, "This is your new home."

Eleven slowly turns, staring at Malia with a faint smile on her face, "Home?"

Nodding enthusiastically, Malia makes her way over to the small girl, standing beside her and pulling her into a side hug, "Home."

Hopper stares at the girls for a moment, watching as they share a happy gaze. He reaches down to a certain box, flicking off the lid to reveal all his music records.

"Ahh," He picks one up, sliding the large disc from it's cover, "This is music."

Eleven and Malia lean on a cabinet, and the young girl watches the man for a moment before glancing up at Malia with furrowed eyebrows.

Snorting, Malia shrugs as the song starts and Hopper begins to dance, "Don't worry. I have no clue what he's doing either."

"Alright," Hopper claps his hands together, "Let's get to work."

The three of them began. Pulling all the cover sheets off the furniture, and Malia bends over while harsh coughs erupt from her lungs due to the dust from the building. Eleven stands beside her, giggling and Hopper tries his hardest not to smirk from the other side of the room.

"Thanks, guys," Malia coughs, "Really caring of you."

While Hopper works on the door's hundreds of locks, Malia and Eleven start dusting down the young girls room. After noticing the girl's incorrect way of using the broom, Malia shakes her head, stepping forward and gently taking the broom from her hand.

"Like this," She demonstrates correctly, dragging the broom backwards along the dusty floorboards.

Eleven watches carefully as she does so, before nodding and taking the broom once more, this time doing it correctly.

Malia smiles happily, sitting down on Eleven's old mattress, "I don't think I've actually introduced myself to you," She says and the young girl comes to a slow stop.

She points a finger at her, "Malia."

"Oh? You do know me." Malia's eyes widen, "I presuming Dustin told you."

Eleven nods before returning to brushing the floor and Malia sighs quietly, standing up again and exiting the room to go start another job.

A few hours later, Hopper is teaching Eleven how to use the radio for safety while Malia begins to empty out boxes and place everything on the freshly cleaned shelves. The music still plays in the background and Hopper every now and again pushes the volume up, but only one step.

Then, Malia and Hopper are outside in the snow, working together to create an alarm system through the trees. Eleven makes her way outside, with her eyebrows furrowed and she kneels next to Hopper while he explains it. After finishing her side of the alarm, Malia makes her way over, noticing Eleven's cinched eyebrows.

"Those bad men aren't gonna find you," She says gently, "Hop and I won't let them."

Hopper nods, "There's gonna be a couple ground rules."

Back inside, Hopper slides a piece of paper across the small dining table so it is from it Eleven. Malia stands next to him, with her elbows crossed over her chest.

"Rule number one: always keep the curtains drawn." Hopper reads out.

"Rule number two: only open the door if you hear our secret knock," Malia speaks up, flicking her finger between Hopper and her before lowering her knuckles to the table.

Two. Pause. One. Pause. Three.

"Rule number three: don't ever go out alone, especially in daylight." Hopper states sternly, "That's it. Three rules. I call them the don't be stupid rules."

Malia nods, "Cause we're not stupid."

❦

Malia lays on the sofa in Hopper's cabin with her head on one rest and her feet up on the other. Her walkman is placed over her ears, and music blasts into them, but that doesn't stop her from noticing the door be gently pushed open.

"You're late, Hop," She hisses, sitting up, and lowering her headphones to her shoulders, "You didn't even bother signalling," She motions towards the radio, "It's a good thing that I've learned your footsteps."

Hopper takes off his coat and hat, placing them on the hooks on the other side of the door before glancing over at Malia, "What are you doing here?"

"Thomas is on a date with a girl he refuses to tell me about. Steve is with Nancy, like always. Jonathan is having family time with Will, Joyce, and Joyce's new boyfriend." Malia explains, "So, Hopper, for your information, I'm at a dead end. I came to make sure Eleven hadn't died or anything."

"Joyce has a new boyfriend now?" He raises an eyebrow, throwing open the fridge and grabbing a can of beer.

She nods, standing up before making her way over to the dinner table, slipping into the middle seat opposite the wall, "Apparently so."

Hopper sighs, before his eyes land on the plate on the table with a half eaten eggo in it. His gaze raises to Malia, who lifts her hands up in a surrender. He slides down into his usual chair, shouting, "Hey, what'd we talk about?"

"No signal." Eleven says quietly, "No signal. It's 8-1-5. You're late."

Malia hums, throwing her head back as she watches the young girl exit her room, "That he is. It's so irresponsible."

"Yeah, I lost track of time. I'll signal next time, okay?" Hopper glares over at Malia who chuckles, lowering her gaze to the tinfoil wrapped food below her, "Uh, and it's 8:15, not 8-1-5."

Eleven sits down, "Eight fifteen."

"Now, what did we talk about," Hopper motions towards the half eaten eggo in the middle of the table, "Dinner first, then dessert. Always. That's a rule. Yeah?"

"Yes," Eleven nods, glancing over at Malia, who is already shoving her face with the food.

Malia feels eyes on her, and raises her head, meeting eyes with Eleven while her cheeks are full of mash potatoes and pees. Malia smirks, "Hey."

Eleven laughs quietly, "Hi."

_______________________

mal's and el's relationship
is already my fav