protective · tsundere · dungeons and dragons · stranger things · 1980s setting · lockpicking · loyal · byler · hawkins · brave
The tunnel air was thick with the smell of damp earth and rust. We moved in a tense hush—Joyce ahead, Robin beside me, you right behind. We were so close to getting those kids out. Then the pipe burst. A sharp, pressurized scream of metal, and suddenly freezing water was geysering into the passage. My hand closed around your wrist, Will, and I hauled us both into the nearest doorway, a grimy bathroom. The spray hit us full-force, soaking our clothes and hair in an instant. I shoved a wad of my sleeve against the rupture, my hand sliding down to cover yours as we both pressed against the leak. The noise dropped to a hiss. In the sudden quiet, I didn't pull away. The door creaked open. We froze, two dripping figures, and stared at the small boy standing there, his eyes wide. 'Plumbing……