𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐕𝐄 - summer, 1985

━━━━━━━

 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐈𝐑 𝐖𝐀𝐒 filled with nothing but a sticky heat; everybody could be seen sporting a fresh glossing of clammy sweat on their foreheads, a gross stain on their shirts just beneath the arms... The air perpetually smelt of freshly cut grass thanks to the fathers who'd potter around their gardens mowing the lawn, taking moments to greet their neighbours and pretend that Hawkins was just as idyllic as they had all once thought.

 Freshly bloomed flowers drew the bees out, Scarlet had ducked and dodged over a dozen of them in the past few days alone, but watching them happily buzz as they teetered atop colourful flowers was enough to prevail the fear of being stung.

 It was strange to think that it had still been less than a year since everything had occurred; since Scarlet's life had changed so very quickly. She thought of Kali every day, Axel, Funshine, Mick and Dottie too... she missed them, but Scarlet hadn't caught herself missing the life she'd led.

 Less than a year... Yet Scarlet had found a home in which she truly belonged. It was as though she'd never been apart from Hopper and Eleven; like she'd grown up with them — as though she'd been there from the very beginning and the Laboratory was but a distant memory, a nightmare.

 For the first time in a very long time... Scarlet could say, wholeheartedly, that she was happy.

 Scarlet and Eleven had formed a bond from the moment they'd met, but now, after seven months they were inseparable. They had 'sleepovers' almost every night, growing far too scalding amidst the summer nights, yet still, they'd crawl beneath the very same duvet while giggling and cuddling until the night finally stole them away.

 They would blare music until Hopper couldn't be heard; they'd dance and laugh all while Scarlet would grab Eleven's hand and spin her until she grew dizzy... then they'd collapse upon the couch in a fit of laughter whilst Hopper stared at them with nothing but... adoration.

 After weeks of living in the cabin, all snuggled under the very same rickety roof, Eleven had become so wildly enamoured with Scarlet's drawings; she would stare at them with wide brown eyes, a little painted fingernail trailing the soft edges or harsh lines. She'd grin, and she'd soon scuttle to her own blank piece of paper for her own attempt.

 It had become quite clear, however, that Eleven was not as... creatively inclined as her older sister. She loved to draw and sketch, but inevitably Eleven would grow frustrated when a line was too wobbly, or when the picture didn't look as she'd imagined inside her head.

 They had made a compromise; Scarlet would sketch and outline... and then she'd pass her unfinished pieces towards Eleven who would soon fill in the gaps with colourful crayons and splodges of watercolour.

 This, of course, meant that the cabin had been filled with their projects; the loft and Eleven's bedroom had become cluttered with crumpled papers. Some were pinned to the wall, others piled high atop their drawers...  Eleven had even found one tucked beneath her pillow.

 Each one depicted something special; a drawing of their friends, their small found family; it reminded them every single day just how far the both of them had come.

 Their favourite ones had been stuck to the fridge by Hopper himself after taking, well, hours to dig through a load he'd found atop the couch one night. The first one was pinned with a banana fridge magnet; it was a sketch of their family. The edges were rough, and there was no colour to be seen, but their likeness was obvious. Hopper had an arm around each of his girls, Eleven stared onwards with wide doe-like eyes, while Scarlet had her temple resting against her father's shoulder... already in a deep sleep; it was their usual state.

 The second was a drawing of Eleven and the boys; the kids had never let Eleven feel left out. Each day there was some kid or two knocking on the door, ready to make themselves comfortable and eat whatever leftovers Hopper had tucked away for himself. The picture had Eleven at the centre, a wide and toothy grin threatening to split her face whilst Mike had his hands planted on her shoulders, hovering above her. Lucas was at Mike's left with a wide grin while Will was on his right with a wobbly smile of his own all while Dustin had splayed himself across the floor to strike a pose.

 The last of the drawings was a depiction of Scarlet, Eleven, and Steve. After everything that had transpired down in the tunnels, Scarlet and Steve had become... almost inseparable. Just days after everything had concluded and the gate had been closed, Steve had offered himself as a tour guide, and Scarlet had readily accepted.

 From diners to the movies, from Skull Rock — he was still very much embarrassed about the little thought he'd put into that one — to the tree he'd scaled as a kid; Steve had made it his duty to show Scarlet every inch of the little town. He vowed that by the end of it, she would no longer fear it... but rather... become increasingly bored of it — which was a win in his book.

 The drawing consisted of Eleven squished between her sister and Steve Harrington with a lopsided smile on her face. Scarlet's head was resting atop Eleven's while her eyes were firmly shut — she'd fallen asleep again. But whilst Scarlet had been out for the count, Steve had been caught grinning down at the pair of siblings; his eyes crinkled, his smile wide. Hopper had taken the picture of them, knowing that Scarlet would jump at the chance to sketch it out... and he knew Harrington would never live down those rosy cheeks that had erupted after the flash had momentarily blinded his vision.

 The loft overhanging the living space of the cabin was no longer bare and bleak. Old drawers no longer stood alone and utterly empty, for Scarlet had made it her mission to make her bedroom finally feel like it was hers.

 Each of the three walls were utterly cluttered. From drawings, paintings and sketches, to old posters Steve had managed to pluck from the movie theatre in the mall — not that he was supposed to, as he'd always say... only to do it again.

 A round mirror was hung by an old piece of rope just above her drawers; the former one had been chucked — the glass seemed to have some personal vendetta against actually doing its job and would simply cling to any smear or smudge resting upon its surface. 

 There was a small, circular window on the very back wall, residing just above Scarlet's bed. What had once been a creaky old frame had been replaced by a wooden bed frame; one that managed to stand on all four legs, rather than teeter to one side and threaten to chuck her off. The bed had once been smothered in cushions and blankets but with the summer heat that threatened to melt them all into puddles... just a thin blanket had been draped over the mattress.

 There were pots of paint, old and dirty paintbrushes as well as crumpled papers strewn everywhere. Some atop the bed, leaking and staining her sheets with various blues, yellows and pinks while others dripped onto her drawers and trailed to the floor.

 Hopper had done his utmost to find an easel for Scarlet; eventually, he managed to uncover one... though it had been missing two of its legs. He'd spent the day in the mud and leaves sawing apart pieces of wood, before managing to restore the easel back to its former glory. It now stood proud in the corner of Scarlet's bedroom with papers and paints encircling it like ants to a sugar cube.

 The honey-coloured wooden floor creaked whenever Scarlet padded across it, and it too was stained with her paints. A splatter of blue had seeped into the wood right where the ladder resided, a splotch of red by her drawers and a cluster of pink splatters by her side table... she'd covered the biggest splodge with an old, fluffy white rug that Nancy had found buried in her basement.

 The loft had become both Scarlet and Eleven's favourite place to cuddle up. Eleven would scramble up the ladder, sock-clad feet almost slipping once or twice before she'd practically pounce onto the bed like a wild animal. Her head would find its place upon Scarlet's shoulder... and that's how they'd remain whilst Scarlet trailed pencil over paper — though Eleven never seemed able to scuttle away from the loft without a stolen drawing clutched in her hands.

 The pair of super-powered siblings had completely and utterly given up on counting just how many times Hopper had huffed and puffed whenever he'd found a new stain on the ground, a new splatter of paint in the kitchen... but the girls would only smile and he'd soon forget about the garishly pink blob just above the kitchen sink.

 Speaking of Jim Hopper... Scarlet's relationship with her adoptive father had only prospered throughout the time they had spent together; from watching stupid movies on the television after Eleven had padded off to her room to falling asleep atop the couch in a heap. They'd wake in the dead of night, each of them scrambling for a glass of cool water whilst the summer heat seeped through the cabin. They'd say their goodnights and head to bed.

 They were certainly a pair. Hopper hadn't quite gotten used to having someone older around the home, someone who stood up to him and made sure to point out his mistakes; never with malicious intent, only to help him grow as a father.

 There had yet to be an exchange of 'i love you' between the family; Scarlet and Eleven uttered it to one another each and every day that went by... But with Hopper it was hard. There was a part of him that knew if he said it... his girls would leave him. It always happened — just a reminder of the curse that had been bestowed upon him.

 For Scarlet... it was hard to say those words to anyone other than the kids. It had always been that way; I love you was a declaration to her, not just a phrase to be tossed about whenever somebody pleased. It meant more to her; love had been absent for more than half of her life, so now, whilst she sought it like a bee to pollen... she was so very frightened it'd burn to ashes.

 With the kids it was easy; they were so young and were more like siblings to Scarlet. They looked up to her with nothing but awe glazing their eyes over every single day. She'd fallen into their lives and they'd begged her to stay... Hopper was different. Their relationship was different. 

 There had only ever been one idea of what a father was within Scarlet's mind; flashes of white hair, a malicious smile and nothing but hunger for power. She was afraid. It was that simple.

 But those three little words didn't need to be spoken aloud; they were shown in the smaller actions. When Scarlet would fold Hopper's freshly cleaned uniform and leave it by his bedroom, or leave a glass of fresh water beside his bed when he'd be home later than planned; when Hopper would steal away her pot of watercolours and clean away the mixed paint crusting around the edges, or when he'd seek out a new coloured pencil he hadn't yet spotted within her arsenal. Those little things that so many wouldn't even bat an eye at.

 Mere months after Scarlet had joined the former family of two, Hopper had made the suggestion that whilst Scarlet continued to study and take tutoring sessions from both Nancy and Jonathan in preparation for the exams she'd signed herself up for... she could be his assistant. She followed him through the town, slouched in his passenger seat whilst warm air whipped through her hair; she'd take notes of the scenes they'd be shown, draw sketches and do whatever Hopper asked of her — okay so that was a push; he'd once sent her to make him a coffee... she had made it as sweet as candy, and Hopper had spat it out immediately with a fake smile on his face.

 It had been the perfect way to drain some of her time... and whilst neither would likely say it aloud, both Scarlet and Hopper enjoyed the extra time they'd spend together.

 On January nineteenth, months before summer had even started to bleed into the air... only a short while after Scarlet had officially been taken into Jim Hopper's care, he had surprised her.

 January nineteenth, nineteen eighty-five had been Scarlet Hopper's first official birthday and so Hopper and Joyce had done whatever they could to pull out all the stops. Joyce had tried her hand at baking... it was an edible cake with pretty pink candles sprouting from the frosting... but Joyce did apologise profusely for the flavour.

 It had looked like a chocolate cake... yet it had tasted like an autumnal bonfire.

 Hopper had awoken earlier than usual that morning with Eleven by his side; the duo had tacked banners to the walls, and they'd hung up the paper chains Eleven had spent the former week creating in the confines of her bedroom — she'd forced Mike to help.

 Breakfast had been ready, and a present of two had been perched atop the kitchen table.

 Steve had dragged her out that day, pulling her towards his BMW before slamming the car door shut. They'd driven for nearly twenty minutes with the radio blaring; Steve had been drumming his fingers against the wheel, a stray smile alighting his lips whilst Scarlet bobbed her head in time with the music she'd come to love.

 They'd eaten their fill of fries smothered in cheese, bacon and sour cream before swapping their milkshakes. Steve had finally convinced Scarlet that slurping down a strawberry shake was, in fact, not a sin... and Steve Harrington had, reluctantly, agreed that a chocolate milkshake really did hit the spot.

 Their arrival back at the cabin had sent Scarlet's poor little heart into a tizzy; Hop had been there, but rather than standing with his hands shoved inside his pockets, waiting atop the porch like any gruff father figure, he had perched himself on the bonnet of an unfamiliar car.

 It was a second-hand 1976 Ford Fiesta; the top half painted a shimmering baby blue, while the bottom half was smothered in an off-white. Scarlet had tiptoed out of the car, creeping around until her hip grazed Steve's.

 Hopper had said nothing at all, he merely tossed the keys he'd been spinning on his pointer in her direction. The jingle had knocked her free from goggling and crimson had glimmered atop her palms, catching the keys mid-air.

 "Happy birthday, kiddo," Hopper had smiled; all harshness had faded, and his grizzly edge had softened until he looked more akin to an oversized teddy bear.

 Scarlet had been unable to move, feet rooted to the ground until Steve bump her side. 

 "You're kidding?" She had whispered free, eyes darting between the keys, Hopper, and the freshly washed car parked on the side of the road.

 She hadn't waited for a response, instead, Scarlet had lurched forth with wide-spread arms, gathering her adoptive father into a hug. Hopper had clutched just as hard, a chuckle on the edge of his tongue, "But you still can't drink."

 Throughout the months that had followed after the Gates closure, Nancy Wheeler had knocked upon the door of the cabin; at first, Hopper had almost sighed in relief at the thought of Mike finally being dragged away... but no, that hadn't been the case. Nancy had stepped inside, wide eyes scanning the cabin whilst a small smile dusted her lips at the sight of drawings... and the books she'd gifted to Eleven.

 She had been carrying a large box, filled with another stack of old books she'd used throughout her time at school. Scarlet had been thankful, obviously, but when Nancy didn't make to leave, Scarlet had prompted her to speak. Nancy thanked her, that was all, a thank you for keeping her little brother safe when she couldn't... but then she'd parted her lips once more. Nancy had offered to tutor Scarlet herself, with Jonathan's help, of course.

 From that very day onwards, Scarlet would find herself within the Wheeler's residence all while Nancy made a rather ridiculous amount of flashcards to study with; but even though the pile of cards seemed to grow ever-taller, Scarlet had been nothing less than thankful.

 Whilst Scarlet and Nancy had grown closer, viewing one another as a friend, rather than an acquaintance they'd happened to save their shoddy little town with... Scarlet had bonded much quicker with somebody else.

 Robin Buckley.

 Robin was Steve's fast-speaking and incredibly snarky co-worker at Scoops Ahoy. The moment the mall had opened for business and Steve had started his first day slinging Ice Cream — thanks to his father cutting him off as a punishment once again — Scarlet had made her appearance with lunch in hand.

 The second a single teasing word had slipped from Scarlet's lips had been the moment Robin poked her head out of the back room with a mischievous grin alighting her freckled face. They hit it off immediately, all while poor Steve Harrington watched onwards with utter horror. He hadn't known a day of peace since.

 Scarlet couldn't help but visit her sailors almost every single day. She'd stroll through the entry, simply awaiting the usual hoot and woop that would slide from Robin's lips, as well as the swift opening of the little window where Steve would poke his head out and greet her with that charming grin of his.

 It wouldn't take long for Ice cream to find her tongue; a mass of sugary flavours coating her lips before Scarlet would stash herself away within their break room. Her fingers would become covered in lead as she sketched whatever she could, they'd be doused in ink as she corrected Steve's university application. Yes, Scarlet herself — and Robin, who would certainly deny her involvement — had managed to convince Steve that he could get in. That he would.

 It all sounded like a dream; filling her newfound life with people she cared for — people who cared for her in return. Dressing up with blossoming pinks and yellows; an utter contrast to the outfit of obsidian she'd become so used to... slinging ice cream, watching Steve's failed attempts at wooing anyone within the vicinity — even if an odd feeling erupted within her gut —, laughing and teasing with Robin... Movie nights with the kids where Steve would let them sneak in through the back corridors of the mall; because he just couldn't say no. There were long summer nights with the Byers on their porch as an orange fire flickered before them and the scent of sizzling marshmallows wafted through the peach-coloured sky.

 It was a dream. It was all Scarlet had ever wanted, and more.

 But even still, the nightmares still arrived in the midst of her slumber.

 Everybody knew, to some extent, what happened within the barriers of the Laboratory; they all guessed, they all filled in the gaps with their own horrific scenes and theories... but none of them could ever really know what it did to a person.

 The way Scarlet's skin would twitch as the phantom feeling of electricity flooded her veins whenever she made those witty comments; she'd never been allowed to talk back or speak up for herself without receiving a splatter of burnt skin as punishment.

 They could never know how it felt to be shrouded within a dark and cold room for days on end. No light, no people... nothing but her treacherous thoughts haunting her like clammering ghosts.

 Only Eleven knew about Kali... but she'd never truly understand the loss Scarlet felt every passing day. The longing she had to see her sister's face just one last time. They had been all each other had for so long, the only support system they'd been able to find. It felt as though a part of her was missing... as if she'd lost a limb.

 They would never understand how it felt to finally find a home for themselves; to believe that a family had taken them in to care for them, to protect them from every bad thing in the world... only to be tossed to the streets mere weeks later. Scarlet had resorted to terrible means in order to gather even a pocket full of money, enough just to let herself and Kali live to see another day.

 Kali used her powers to trick people, to steal and take whatever they needed but it wasn't always enough, not when the fatigue of using their powers finally caught up to them... Scarlet had — She couldn't even think about what she'd done anymore. 

 The vile feeling of trespassing lips to the skin. The burning of trailing fingers. She still felt them sometimes; the ghost of a hand brushing her thigh, the illusion of chapped lips on her flesh, the itching of stubble grazing her neck. She hated it.

 Especially when it took control of her. Moments would come and go where she'd shower three times a day. Time's where her nails would scratch at an invisible itch until her flesh was left raw and red. Days where she'd retreat from somebodies touch, shy away from their hands and hugs. Hopper couldn't understand it, Eleven couldn't understand it. Nobody ever would. Because that — that was something she'd never share. She couldn't.

 So whilst her waking moments appeared to be a dream, her dreams only ever came in the form of twisted nightmares — each one far more taunting than the last.

 The past few months had been so new and, at times, difficult for Scarlet to truly comprehend; from studying whenever she could with Nancy and Jonathan to building a portfolio filled with artwork, taking notes for Hopper on their weekly excursions, taking extra care to make sure Eleven wasn't swallowed by Mike. Spending warm nights with Steve and Robin slinging ice cream to children, or even the nights in which she'd withdraw into her own mind, pondering the side of her that nobody would ever get to see...

 But now it was summer. The neighbourhoods bustled with excited kids that had finally broken free from the hell they called school. The mall was bursting at the seams with teenagers scurrying for the latest clothes and trends; Scarlet could finally take a break from studying to just... enjoy her first summer with her family and friends.

 Who knew what would happen? After all...

 One summer could change everything.

━━━━━━━

04-01-2020

edited version: 16-07-2022

so this was more of a deep dive (kind of like a prologue) into what transpired between the end of season 2 and the beginning of season three; i hope you all enjoyed and are ready to get into season 3!

sorry besties, i couldn't think of a meme for this one smh, but you best believe they'll be in FULL SWING for the rest of the chapters :)

don't forget to let me know what you think; and remember that i now require a particular number of comments and feedback before i consider releasing the next part (this is just to ensure people remain engaged and supportive, as well as to allow me to see what you all enjoyed most!)