The Return

(Nancy POV, AU where Barb survives, takes place in Hawkins General about seven weeks after "The Upside-Down", Nancy/Barb. Thank you, and have fun!)

*soft begging, deeply nervous* C'mon, Barb...please. Wake up. I need you, Barb. *deep sigh, angrily to self* Fuck. I should have been there for you. Fucking Steve and his stupid fucking...pool and shit. This is all my fault. I should have been out there to pull you out and away from that...that *with disgusted emphasis* thing.

I thought you were dead, Barbara. *Everyone* thought you were dead. Fuck, I almost fainted when Hopper came and said they found your body by the quarry and they said you were breathing. And now...*laughing in breathless joy* now you're back up here in Hawkins! You're with me again!

Or...or you would be if you just woke up already. *sad sigh, then a gasp of surprise and joy* Barb! Holy fuck, you're awake! *muffled laughing* Oh thank fuckin' God.

You're in Hawkins General Hospital. Been here for about three weeks. Hopper found you outside the quarry. He says you had some broken ribs, and your ankle was fucked up, and..and your glasses got broken. *weak chuckling* Yeah, that's why everything's so blurry.

*quickly* Woah, woah, slow down! I can barely understand what you're saying...you were in Steve's pool, but everything was all dark and covered with roots and...and there was a monster. Yeah. Will says that thing is...was called the demogorgon.

It's dead, at least...at least we think so. *starting to get choked up* There was this girl called Eleven, and she saved Will and the whole town and-and..*soft sobbing*

No, it's okay, it's just...god, everyone almost died, and I thought you were dead and that Jonathan's little brother was dead and..*loud sobbing, dissolving into sniffles, and a muffled call of: Don't you dare leave again!, before she sighs* I'll...I'll explain everything later. I'm just so happy to have you back.

...I'm so sorry, Barb. I couldn't stop thinking about you while you were gone, even after I thought you were dead. You were all I could bring myself to think of.

Steve? What about-...oh. Yeah, that...that's kind of dissolved. We were together until like...two weeks ago.

*embarassed laughing* No, I didn't leave him for Jonathan. Sure, I kissed his cheek once, but...I'm just not interested in him.

*laugh* Holy shit, you should apply to work with Hopper. You're really good at reading me, Barb. Always have been. Yeah...I'm interested in someone. Who? Well...I just said that I've only been thinking of you since you disappeared, didn't I?

Bold? Well, I helped to fuck up a monster, and when you do something like that, it just makes it seem like anything's possible. Even confessing crushes. Look, if you're not interested, that's okay, I get it, but please don't let it fuck up our friendship. I don't want to lose you again.

*curious* What're you looking around for-*squeak, then kissing noises* ...ohhh, you were checking for doctors or your parents or shit. Cool. Oh, yeah, that was an...an amazing kiss. Your lips are chapped as fuck, but still! *laughing* Doesn't mean I don't want another one. C'mere, beautifu-ow! *squeak, then laugh* You headbutted me! We need to get your glasses back so you can aim. *laughter, then kissing noises*

Can I get on the bed with you? I'll be careful with your ribs and shit. *pause, then a little sigh* There we go. Now, Miss Holland, want to continue? *kissing* You're so fucking beautiful, Barb. I can't believe I didn't see you like this before-*squeak* Barb, holy fuck! Did...did you just grope me? No, no, it's fine! I was just surprised is all. I didn't expect you to be that forward. *grinning* But if you insist...

*pause, then chuckling* Yes, yes it is a new bra. Now c'mere. *more kissing*

*after a bit* Wait, wait...if we're going to do this, we have to be really quiet. *pause* Well, I don't think the doctors would appreciate catching us having sex, and our parents wouldn't appreciate finding out that their daughters both like girls. So, we just need to be gentle and *gasping, shakily* q-quiet. Holy shit, okay..

*dissolves into the two fingerfucking each other, improvise until orgasm, I apologize that I have nothing written out for this*

*sighing in the afterglow* Holy shit. *chuckling, then concerned* I didn't hurt your ribs or anything, did I? *relieved* Good, I'm glad. Now, I'm gonna get dressed and get some food from the cafeteria, then I'll be right back here, and if you're up for it, we'll go for round two before I go home, okay? *forehead kiss, then pause* Well, of course you love me! I'm amazing. But I love you too, Miss Barbara Holland. I'm so glad to have you back. *kiss, then end*

(Thank you for performing this!)