Near-Death Experience || Mike Wheeler x Reader
Requested: "Billy enters the house in season two and is beating up Steve and the reader steps in to help and Billy ends up hurting her. so after Max stabs Billy in the neck, they're in the car and the reader is seated between Mike and Dustin while Max is driving and Mike ends up getting a little angry at the reader for risking her life to save Steve? He was so worried Billy would kill her which is why he's angry and the reader was defending herself and saying he would have killed Steve and stuff then when the car turns and stuff, the reader and Mike end up falling on each other as they're arguing sksk"
Warnings: several mentions of blood, graphic (?) descriptions of violence. Broken bones.
"I said, does anybody understand that?" You looked at Steve in disbelief as he scolded the five of you, waving a dish towel around. "I need a yes."
You guys were trying to convince him that you all could give El and the chief time to get to the gate if you drew out the demo-dogs by setting fire to the hub.
Honestly, the idea wasn't half bad.
But of course, Steve wasn't having any of it.
You rolled your eyes dramatically and groaned.
"Whatever, mom!"
His face scrunched up at your remark but before anything else could be said, everyone's attention was pulled outside when you heard the obnoxious revving of an engine.
Your legs carried you into the living room and Max ran to the window. She jumped onto the couch and peered out into the night, Lucas joined her. You could see faint white lights, from what you could only assume to be headlights, crawl across their faces.
"What is it?" You asked.
"It's my brother." Max said, and you could sense the panic sneaking up on her. "He can't know I'm here. He'll kill me. He'll kill us."
She looked desperately around the room and your face hardened in worry. You looked from Max to Steve, hoping he would know what to do.
Steve wore a similar expression on his face, but then he stormed outside.
The rest of you all squeezed onto the couch together, peering outside to watch everything unfold. You had to squint a little, but then you saw a guy step out of the car, around Steve's age you guessed, and Steve joined him on the lawn.
None of you could make out what they were saying but based on context and their body language, you could tell the air out there was thick with tension.
Lots of words were exchanged, and just as you had wished you could hear what they were saying, Max's brother Billy looked over at the window, at all of you and gestured.
You all dove under the window, hiding behind the couch, panting.
"Shit!" Dustin exclaimed. "Did he see us?"
There was beat or silence and then you could have sworn you heard a thud and groaning, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps growing closer.
"I think he saw us," Dustin panted.
"No, shit Sherlock!" You hissed, and you suddenly got an idea. "The back door in the kitchen. Quick!"
You guys all abandoned the couch and make your way to the kitchen, hoping you could make it out in time but then the door burst open and you all turned to see Billy.
This was the first time you actually saw him in person and he immediately creeped you out.
He stood in the doorway, and he looked at all of you. His eyes landed on Lucas and they zeroed in on him.
"Well, well, well," he said flatly, though he was seeping with rage.
He stalked forward and we all subconsciously backed away.
"Lucas Sinclair," he growled. "what a surprise,"
He now stood in front of Max and Lucas and his attention turned to Max.
"I thought I told you to stay away from him, Max."
"Billy, go away." Despite her words, her tone gave how frightened she really was, not that you blamed her.
"You disobeyed me," he said and you cringe in disgust. "And you know what happens when you disobey me,"
"Billy," her voice wavered but he continued.
"I break things,"
Everything happened so fast. He turned on his heel and grabbed Lucas by the shoulders, and forced him across the room and into one of the shelves.
You and your friends cried out frightened protests.
"Get off me, you--" Lucas struggled against his grip but Billy was too strong.
Billy shook Lucas by the collar roughly, forcing Lucas to look him in the eye. You stood frozen, telling, no screaming at your body to move and help your friend but your limbs were numb and you watched tearfully in fear.
"Since Maxine won't listen to me, maybe you will. You stay away from her." He shook him violently once more, raising his voice. "Stay away from her! You hear me?"
Before you know it, your legs were carrying you across the room, you grabbed at his shoulder trying to pry Billy off of him but he didn't even have to turn around to stop you.
He shoved his arm back roughly and suddenly, his elbow struck you sharply and it knocked you back, taking the wind out of you, and you heard Mike call out your name in fear.
You stumbled back and caught a glimpse of Billy shuffle backward, and doubling over, reaching between his legs. Lucas must have injured him, going right where it counted.
He looked up, glaring holes into Lucas.
"You are so dead, Sinclair! You're dead."
You felt someone push past you and you exhaled in relief. It was Steve.
Steve put a hand on Billy, roughly turning him around to face him while simultaneously getting him away from Lucas.
"No," he said simply. "You are."
Steve reeled his hand back and punched Billy square in the jaw, knocking him back.
You and Duston chuckled happily, in relief, but Max only grew more grave.
"Steve!" She called out warningly.
Billy stood up, cackling maniacally, turning to look at Steve.
Lucas slipped quietly behind him and you reached out and grabbed his hand. He gladly accepted and you pulled him into a quick hug as you led him back to the others. You stood in front of them like a shield. Your eyes never left the fight, making sure Billy didn't come after Lucas or Max.
Billy smiled smugly, still laughing as he talked down to Steve.
"Looks like you got some fire in you after all, huh?" Billy was yelling, and he gestured to Steve. "I've been waiting to meet this King Steve everybody's been telling me so much about."
He strutted over to Steve, getting in his face, blood was dripping from his nose. While he wore a smile, his eyes were dead and expressionless. It was enough to scare you senseless.
Steve seemed equally disgusted and he spoke in a much quieter tone. He gently pushed Billy away, using only his forefinger and Billy shuffled back, gears in his head turning. He was planning his next move.
"Get out."
He stood rooted to the spot, and he licked his lips. Suddenly his arm was flying through the air, headed right for Steve's temple. He didn't even have to reel back.
But Steve caught on and ducked just before the boys fist could collide into his head. He stood quickly and swung his left fist, hitting Billy in the side of his face.
Billy stumbled back into the kitchen table and looked up Steve, still laughing.
Mike and Dustin came alive from behind you.
"Yes! Kick his ass, Steve!"
"Get him!"
Before Billy could strike again, or even pull himself up from the table Steve swung again, knocking him back into the kitchen counters.
"Murder the son of a bitch!"
Steve was still advancing. Throwing punches left and right.
"Now! Now!"
"Get that shithead!"
"Kill the son of a bitch!"
Billy was now against the kitchen sink, head now rolling back with laughter, blood dripping from his face on his exposed chest.
All too late you saw Billy reach for the plate and he crashed it into Steve's head knocking the wind out of him.
"Steve!"
"Billy!" Max yelled, pleading for him to stop.
It was Steve who was now tumbling back into the kitchen table.
"Holy shit!" Mike breathed out.
Steve was stumbling in your direction, his back to Billy and you saw Billy advancing on him.
"Steve, look out!" You cried out.
He lunged himself into the wall, narrowly missing Billy's fist. He collided into the shelves and then pushed himself off, missing another one of Billy's attacks.
Steve made his way into the living room and you shuffled your friends to the side, getting out of the way of the fight. Billy trailed after Steve and grabbed him by the shoulders roughly.
"No one, tells me what to do!" With a loud grunt, he headbutted Steve in the face.
Steve collapses on the floor and you shuffle on your feet, your mouth hanging open and you silently prayed that he would get up.
Billy hollers in triumph and stalks towards Steve curled up on the floor. The map of tunnels that were taped to the floor, the ones Will had drawn, were crumpling and tearing under Steve's body as he pushed himself away.
"Get up!" Billy spit.
"Come on, Steve!" You cried.
"You're gonna kill him!" Dustin exclaimed.
Billy stands over Steve, one leg on either side of him and he throws his arms back and pummels Steve into the ground. He throws punch after punch, strike after strike. Steve is bleeding out all over the floor. You watch in horror, knowing now Billy wasn't gonna stop until he went too far. Until Steve was dead.
He was screaming, spit flying everywhere as he did so. Some of the spit was mixed in with blood and you saw Steve losing consciousness.
Everything was in slow motion now. Your face hardened and you stomped noiselessly over to Billy, his back turned to you. You felt the ghost of a grasp on your arm, trying to stop you but your arm slipped out easily. It was Mike. You tuned out his cries of protest, he was soon joined by the others but you couldn't hear them now. All you could hear now as time seemed to stand still was the thunderous pounding of your heart in your ears.
You focused on Billy's form like a target. Like a bull storming after the matador, all you could focus on, all you could allow yourself to think about, was the red of his shirt.
You were running now and a deafening cry tore through your throat as you sped at the man. Arms outstretched and you tackled him into the door, knocking him off his feet.
Everything went back to normal, you were back in reality and your friends shocked exclaims echoed in your ears but all you could focus on was the look on Billy's face.
Shock flickered over his features, but he quickly recovered. He chuckled dryly and muttered your death sentence under his breath.
You were too slow to dodge the sudden sweep of his leg, and you crashed onto the ground, hearing the paper crumple under your body.
You looked up at him in fear and you scrambled back desperately. But you didn't get very far, your hands scrambled for grip on the hardwood floor but you found next to none. The paper tunnels moved from under your sweaty palms, causing your hands and feet to slip continuously.
He now towered above you and you could barely make out the cries of protest from Mike and the others.
"Don't hurt her! You son of a bitch, DON'T YOU TOUCH HER!" It was Mike and his voice was cracking with fear.
You looked quickly to the side, hoping by some miracle Steve would jump to his feet and save you but he was out cold.
By the time you looked back at Billy all you saw was his fist. Your head, which had been previously craning up, was slammed into the ground.
You heard a crack and pain exploded in your nose and the back of your head, confusing you. What you hadn't registered yet was that when he had punched you, it sends your head into the floor so hard you could have sworn you felt your brain hit the back of your skull.
White filled your vision and your ears were ringing slightly. You were in too much pain to hear the cries of fear from your friends.
Your legs began moving, squirming every which way. Attempting to kick him, or to worm you out from under him you didn't know which one. But then you felt a heavy weight on your right leg. It still moves violently, trying to get out from under his giant rubber boot.
You then felt an enormous pressure on your shin before it stopped briefly. You were still recovering from the blow to the face and head, you couldn't move much anymore you panted. Forcing your head to turn. It rolled on the ground as it moved, though it felt like it weighed a hundred pounds. All you could do was watch and you saw him bring his left leg up. He looked you right in the eye, teeth clenched as he through his foot down onto your shin. Just as your ears stopped ringing you heard a crack and you cried out in pain.
He applied pressure on your leg with his foot and twisted into your leg, smashing his foot into the wound like you would a bug you just squashed, making sure the thing was dead.
You cried out in pain and terror, begging him to stop but he kneeled down closer to you as he flared at you.
You whimpered on the ground, reaching your forearms up in the form of an 'x' to shield your face, your arms felt like lead but it made no difference. He grabbed both your wrists in one hand, taking down your arms with no effort at all. With his other hand, he grabbed your hair close to your scalp and pulled your head up before slamming it into the ground.
The world was quiet and your vision grew dark. The last thing you saw was Max storming after Billy, syringe in hand.
×××
The next thing you feel is your body swaying slightly back and forth.
You were moving but your eyes were still closed. You heard the roar of an engine and your senses prickled at the familiar sound.
Everything came back in bits and pieces.
You remember hearing that sound when he showed up. You remembered running. You remember feeling fear. Lucas. Lucas was in danger.
Then you recalled punches being thrown and Steve.
Most of all you remembered red. Blood?
Yes, there was blood, a lot of it but that wasn't it. There was something else.
Billy!
Your eyes shot open and although it was dark, your eyes still seemed to adjust to the light. You were in a car.
Squinting from the bright lights that flashed over your face. The lights you realized, were from the road. Headlights.
You tried moving your head and you caught a glimpse of Dustin to your right. He was icing someone. Steve.
Steve was still passed out.
Dustin looked up and saw you were awake. He smiled gently at you.
"Hey buddy," You frowned, your mouth parted slightly.
You then felt how cold and simultaneously hot your upper lip felt. Was your nose running? You tried licking your lips but you immediately tasted the familiar metallic taste on your tongue.
"Y/n!" The voice came from your left and you moved your head to face the familiar voice. As soon as you did you winced, hissing slightly at the intense throbbing of your head.
You had a horrible migraine.
"Mike?" You croaked.
You blinked several times but you saw him breathe a sigh of relief.
"Y/n, oh thank God." He held up three fingers and you squinted. "How many fingers?"
Your vision doubled briefly as you tried to focus but it returned to normal just as soon.
"Three," you mumbled. "W-What happened?"
"You got the shit beaten out of you." He answered, his tone turned stern and his voice began to rise. "What the hell were you thinking?"
As your ears began picking up more sounds around you, your senses coming back, you picked up on the sloshing coming from Mike's direction.
Your eyes fell on his feet and you saw a can of lighter fluid in his stashed between his feet.
"Whas' that?" You slurred.
"Are you even listening to me?" Your eyes trailed back up to Mike and you peered up at him.
"I said you could have gotten yourself killed!"
"Nobody was doing anything," you said.
But apparently you hadn't actually said anything out loud and he just stared at you, still waiting for an answer.
"Nobody was doing anything!" You cried. "Steve was getting killed!"
"You were getting killed!" Mike retorted but you weren't listening.
Where was Steve?
Forgetting about your throbbing head you whipped your head around to your other side and saw him passed out on the other side of Dustin.
Oh, yeah. You thought.
It seems you had also forgotten you just saw him when you woke up.
You had to keep your head still for a few moments, just to recover from moving your head too fast. Mike, as it turns out, was still lecturing you.
You slowly rolled your head against the back of the seat to face Mike once more.
"He's twice your size, he could have snapped your neck! Seriously, what the hell were you thinking?! Do you have any idea how worried I was?"
Your face scrunched up in a wince, and you groaned, reaching up to cover your ears.
He realized what he was doing and calmed down a bit.
"Sorry,"
"He wasn't stopping, Mike. He was gonna kill him." You managed. "Then he was gonna kill all of us."
Then something clicked in your head.
"Wait, wait, wait," you grew frantic and Mike had reached out to calm you.
"Who's driving?"
Before you could get an answer you looked up and saw a flash of red hair in the driver's seat and then two hands ripped the steering wheel to the side.
The car turned so suddenly and with such a force it rolled you over and you cried out. Unable to physically stop yourself - pain exploded in your leg as soon as it so much as shifted and the memory of your leg snapping came flooding back to you - and in a mad scramble to get your weight off your bad leg combined with the sudden shift of gravity you were rolled over onto something indistinguishable.
When gravity centered and the car adjusted you groaned from the pain, and you strained to crane your neck, wanting to know what you landed on.
More specifically, who you landed on.
You were now face to face with Mike, he was violently pink as he met your eye and quickly looked away. You could feel his breath on your face and yours was probably on his.
You had been bumped into by Dustin and completely flipped over onto Mike's lap. You were practically laying on him.
You both were immediately flustered but you were cut short by the pain. Everything had happened so fast the pain hadn't caught up to you until now. Your head, nose, and leg were throbbing and you winced harshly.
"Y/n," his voice came out in a whisper. "Here let me help."
He had abandoned his lecturing tone, his anger completely forgotten and he was now using a soothing tone. He half cradled you as he helped place you back on the seat.
You thanked him under your breath, your voice was weak and spared a glance up at him.
You were now positioned so you were leaning against him. His shoulder became a pillow but you didn't adjust anymore. You were still blushing and so was he, profusely in fact. And you opened your eyes, seeing a mischievous smile on Dustin's lips as he looked between you two.
Okay, now would be a good time to pass out again.
