AN:

Just I thought, this is super long. Sorry. I wanted it to be solid since I just had to rebuild an entire relationship. Way to go Mike. You better fix it.

I'm happy so many of you like the Will/El relationship, it was fun to write.

Without further ado, here is the final chapter!

Mike kind of wanted to throw up.

His stomach was churning, his nerves on edge as he walked out of the diner holding the foam cup. One strawberry milkshake, just the way El liked it, with extra swirls of whipped cream and no cherry. She didn't like cherries, or anything cherry-flavored, really. But her love for pink colored things often ended up with her taking a lick of pink lollipop and grimacing.

"Cherry," she'd swallow like it was painful and then hand it over to him. "Here, you can have it."

He didn't love cherry stuff either, but he never made her eat whatever food she'd mistakenly bought, munching on it quietly as she sighed and reordered something with chocolate. Her backup flavor.

His foot snagged on the sidewalk and he almost tripped, barely managing to keep from dropping the cup as he swore loudly, his hand scraping against the brick wall of the diner as he caught himself.

"Ouch, shit!"

He pressed his palm to his mouth, sucking on the bleeding scrap and wincing. Of course. Nothing could go right today, the one day he needed it to. He'd accidentally used Holly's toothbrush, messed up an order at work and got yelled at by his manager, and slammed his finger in his car door. It still throbbed, now matched by the cut on his palm.

As he made his way back to his car, being more careful about where he put his feet, he spotted a yellow slip tucked under the windshield wiper and groaned. No. No way. There was no way he had a parking ticket, he'd only been gone for ten minutes and he'd fed the—

He groaned again. He'd forgotten to put change in the meter.

Setting the milkshake down on the hood of the car he reached for the ticket with a huff, glaring at the stupid amount of money he'd have to pay for a ten minute stop. Slamming his fist against the car he flinched as pain shot up his already tender hand.

"God damn it!"

"Mike?"

He whirled around, scowling, and saw Dustin standing on the sidewalk behind him, holding a bag. His friend looked concerned, glancing down at the milkshake and then back at Mike, confused.

"Why do you have a milkshake?"

"Why do you care?" Mike snapped, then immediately felt remorseful. "Shit, sorry, Dustin. I'm having the shittiest day. Not your fault."

He deflated, leaning against the car and Dustin joined him, pulling out a comic from the bag in his hands with a grin.

"Want to see what I got? Gary managed to find me a copy of Batman: Year One and it's pretty fucking amazing."

"I still can't believe you turned to the dark side," Mike rolled his eyes. "Marvel wasn't good enough for you?"

"Okay, I'm never turning my back on X-Men, Mike. I just appreciate more than one kind of superhero storyline," Dustin defended. "It's not my fault you're stuck in your same old boring way."

"I thought you were trying to cheer me up."

Dustin slid the comic back into the bag, turning to look at him.

"Do you need cheering up?"

"I mean…" Mike sighed. "I wouldn't mind one of your stupid pep talks right now."

"Why? Are you going somewhere?"

"Um…"

El had asked him not to tell anyone, but Dustin didn't really count. And honestly… he could use the advice. And help. He felt like he was in way over his head, unsure of what to say to be able to convince her.

"I can't tell if you're lying over the phone."

He winced as he remembered her words. It was fair, he'd broken her trust more than once by now and there was no reason for her to trust him now. In fact, he was starting to realize she might never trust him again, which really sucked. What was he supposed to say?

"Okay, you can't tell anyone, but… El and I are going for a drive. To talk," he mumbled, looking down.

"Woah, really? I thought she was super pissed at you?"

Mike gave him a sidelong look.

"How do you know that? Have you talked to her or something?" he asked hopefully.

"Ha, no. I haven't seen her since…" he squinted. "I went over to Will's last week to work on our Bio project and she was moping in front of the TV watching Dirty Dancing and eating an entire half gallon of strawberry ice cream."

Her usual sad routine. Mike winced.

"And when I asked her if she was okay she told me she was fine," Dustin rolled her eyes. "So I invited her to the next campaign and she told me she'd rather fuck the Demogorgon… um, her words, not mine," he winced sympathetically. "I figured you must have pissed her off again."

"You're not wrong," Mike sighed.

"Is because you two have been boinking so much lately?"

Dustin's question was so casual it took Mike a second to process what he'd said. He almost fell over.

"Wait, what? How do you—I mean, no, we weren't—"

"Oh, cut it out, Mike. You might have fooled Lucas and everyone else, but I know what you look like when you're getting some. El too. You guys really aren't that subtle…"

"But I—We were—How do you… what?!"

Mike's mouth hung open, totally flabbergasted. How the hell had Dustin figured it out? They had been so careful… right?

Then he remembered one time when their friend had walked in on them in his room last year when they were still dating. Dustin had come over because Mike had promised to go comic shopping with him, but El had popped in and they'd ended up sneaking up to his room. Poor Dustin had blinked at El, in nothing but a pink bra, who had been sitting on top of a naked Mike, and then down at Mike, before saying nothing and shutting the door again.

They'd never spoken of it and Mike had kind of blocked it out. Who wanted to remember that? But it explained how Dustin could tell. They really weren't as sneaky as they thought.

"That first D&D campaign?" Dustin hinted. "El came back down looking way too smug and then the two of you were basically boning each other with your eyes the rest of the night. I don't know how I was the only one who noticed," he rolled his eyes. "But I can't forget what your face looks like when you're porking so…"

"Why do you have to call it that," Mike grimaced.

"What? Porking? Or boinking?"

"Both."

"Haha, cause you always make that face," Dustin grinned but then sobered. "So what did you do that pissed her off so much? She obviously wasn't that mad about the breakup if the two of you were still screwing."

"It's… well…"

Mike didn't want to relive that day when he'd said those terrible words. He wanted to blot it out of his mind and pretend it hadn't happened. But if he was going to apologize to El, he needed to, so he sighed, shifting uncomfortably.

"You remember when you and Lucas came over and watched Close Encounters?"

"Yeah, so?"

"And, uh, Lucas got on my ass again?"

"Oh, and you said all those shitty things about El to shut him up?" Dustin frowned. "You didn't mean that stuff though, right? Cause that shit was cruel."

"I didn't," Mike promised. "At all. He just made me so mad…"

"Yeah, Lucas is good at that. Anyways, why is that relevant? Did she find out?"

Mike bit his lip and looked down.

"She was hiding in the bathroom. We'd just—She'd come over for a bit before you two idiots barged in and we were just… um, we banged a few times—"

"A few times?"

Mike ignored him. "So she hid in the bathroom since I couldn't not let you in."

"And she heard everything," Dustin guessed, letting out a whistle. "Shit."

"Yeah."

It was quiet as Dustin tried to think of a good response and Mike fidgeted, waiting for his friend's response. He desperately needed the advice on even where to start.

"What are you guys going to talk about?"

"Um… well, I was planning on apologizing to start…" Mike licked his lips. "But after that I'm not… sure…"

"Well that kind of depends on how she reacts, to be fair," Dustin nodded. "She might tell you to fuck off forever and that'll kind of end the conversation. Or she might throw herself at you and forgive you. I don't know if I can help you out, man. She's too unpredictable."

Mike sighed, feeling gloomy. So much for getting help.

"You know her better than anyone, Mike. You guys have been in love since you were twelve. Just be honest with her and hope she believes you," Dustin turned to look at him. "And I mean be honest about everything. If you've been holding back anything, now is the time to get that shit out in the open."

His heart sped up. He knew what that meant. It was time to admit why he'd dumped her in the first place, why he'd let all of this get messed up. Time to talk about his fears and what they'd made him do. What he'd let them make him do. He sighed.

"You're right…" he glanced down at his watch and almost jumped. "Oh shit it's almost nine-thirty I have to go, I can't be late," he gasped.

"Good luck, Mike," Dustin grinned, handing him the milkshake as he shoved himself into the car.

He sped the whole way to the Byers place, his sweating palms making the steering wheel slick in his hands, his heart pounding so loud he was sure it was going to burst. But when he pulled up in front of the house, she was standing there, leaning against one of the beams on the front porch, wearing a gauzy white dress and looking like a ghost.

He didn't honk or wave, waiting silently as she walked across the yard and then to the passenger seat, the door opening. She slid in, not looking at him, slamming the door and reaching for the seat belt, eyes fixed down. It was tense and silent and he swallowed thickly.

"Um, so, where do you want to go?"

His voice sounded weird and he winced as she stared straight forward, not looking over, her entire body tense. Her fingers were fisted into the thin, flowy material of her white skirt and she looked pale, her jaw tight, teeth clenched. Not a good sign.

"Anywhere. I don't care," she rasped. "Somewhere people won't see."

"Um, I only know the one place…"

He meant their usual makeout spot, a tiny, almost invisible gravel driveway that led up to an abandoned, ruined cabin. They'd never once been interrupted there and he was blanking on where else to go. She sighed loudly.

"Sure. As long as it's quiet."

The drive was awkward, but thankfully short, since it wasn't too far from her house. He tried not to keep glancing over but he couldn't help it, it had been so long since he'd seen her. She smelled like floral soap and a hint of smoke, her usual perfume, the one he'd missed so much. And she looked pretty, the dress one he hadn't seen before. It was light and gauzy, with thin straps and an uneven skirt, almost hippie-ish except it was pure white. He realized she wasn't wearing a bra and then immediately berated himself for noticing. Unimportant.

They pulled into the small clearing, the cabin it's usual hollow self, the dark, empty windows mocking him. It looked as forlorn as he felt and he parked the car, turning it off and then sitting in the uncomfortable silence, unsure of how to start.

"Just be honest with her and hope she believes you."

Dustin's words came back and he sighed before turning, unbuckling his seatbelt and facing her. He wanted her to see his face, to know he was telling the truth. But she stubbornly refused to look at him, jaw clenching and unclenching and he wiped his sweaty palms on his shorts.

"El, I—"

At her name her head snapped to look at him and he saw the angry tears there, that threatened to overflow from her eyes. He blinked and then her hand was up, moving through the air so quickly he didn't realize she'd slapped him until his cheek started stinging. Her face was full of rage and he gaped, reaching up towards his own, totally shocked.

"Wha—"

She slapped him across the other cheek before he could get the question out, glaring for a moment, her face twisted into what he could only describe as pure hatred. Then she burst into tears, curling into a ball, her legs pulled up to her chest, sinking into herself, looking pitiful. Her sobs rocked the car, her body trembling as she wailed and despite his stinging cheeks and shocked feeling, he felt his heart shatter.

"No, no no no, El, I'm sorry, please don't cry," he tried to reach out to her but she flinched away and he pulled his hand back, realizing he couldn't do anything.

She didn't want his comfort. She didn't him at all.

The realization hit him like a truck going a hundred miles an hour, the air leaving his lungs as if he'd been kicked in the chest. It was the first time he wasn't able to comfort her, the pain and hurt and sadness caused by him. It was his fault, all of it, and the guilt weighed him down as he listened to her cry. Cry over him.

Tears welled up in his own eyes as he watched her sob into her hands, shoulders shaking, her entire body mourning over what had happened between them. Every instinct in his being was screaming at him to reach for her and hold her and make her feel better. But he couldn't even if he wanted and he sat and watched instead, her sorrow his punishment. The tears streamed down his face, dripping from his chin, his fingers twitching towards her as he yearned to comfort her.

It took her a solid five minutes to start to calm, hiccupping and gasping, reaching up to wipe her face, her hair sticking to her chin and cheeks, eyes red-rimmed and swollen. Everything about it was messy and visceral and painful and she took a deep breath, trying to shake it off, trying to piece herself back together for the thousandth time. All because of him.

He swallowed.

"El?"

She didn't move a muscle.

"I… I'm sorry, El. I'm so sorry."

There was a breath as his apology filled the space between them and she finally swiveled her head to look at him, her glass-spun eyes meeting his repentant ones. She was shattered, the cracks visible in her gaze, her chin trembling as a single word left her mouth.

"Wh-Why?"

It was the question he'd been dreading. The one she deserved an answer for.

Why had he broken up with her? Why had he said those hurtful things in an angry haze? Why had he let her give herself to him over and over? Why had he let all of it go on so long?

Why had he let her think he didn't love her anymore?

There was no easy answer and he swallowed thickly, trying to think of where to start. How could even begin to explain the stupidity that had led them here? The doubts and fears that seemed so trivial now. It was all so stupid and he winced, looking down, unable to meet her eyes.

"Because I'm a fucking idiot, El. I was…" he glanced up for a second, "I was afraid."

"Of wh-what?"

"Of… losing you."

"So you broke up with me?"

The outrage was deserved and he didn't even flinched, taking her anger in and nodding, feeling ashamed.

"I… I've loved you since we were kids, El. And thinking of leaving Hawkins, of leaving you… I just got so anxious," he explained, unable to meet her eyes again. "You've been mine for years, as long as I've known you and thinking about leaving you here for weeks—for months… I was afraid."

"Afraid of… what?" Her voice was quiet.

"Afraid you'd realize you didn't want me anymore. That there were other options… better options." He looked pained, picking at his cuticles. "I'm kind of a loser, El. Didn't you ever realize that? There are guys who are stronger and cooler, who know how to fix cars and throw a football and could… protect you," he said bitterly. "I'm a lame, scrawny nerd. You deserve so much better than me."

He dared to glance at her but her face was unreadable and he pushed on.

"I've only proved that so far. I hurt you. I didn't mean to… but I did."

She was still staring blankly and he realized stating the obvious wouldn't help. But he wanted her to know that he was aware of what he'd done.

"I thought breaking up with you would be easier, so when you found someone better you wouldn't have me to hold you back, you know?" He wiped his face. "But really I was just being selfish, trying to keep myself from getting hurt but hurting you instead. I was stupid… like Brenner. I convinced myself I was doing what was best for you… but I never asked you and I am so sorry. Forget me, forget fucking everything if you want," he licked his lips, eyes wide and wet as he stared at her, "but please know I am so so so sorry for reminding you of him for even a second."

A slight inhale, her only reaction so far. He kept going, knowing there was more he needed to beg forgiveness for. For letting her feel… used.

"And then… I tried so hard to keep my distance and you came into that bedroom at that party looking so fucking hot. I didn't even know you owned that purple dress…" he was thinking about how she'd looked that night, done up with red lipstick, all legs and curves and anger. He shook himself out of it. "You looked so good I couldn't say no and I was mad at myself for giving in and you were mad at me and I'm still—I should never have said those mean things. I never, ever, ever once thought you were a slut."

"I called myself that," she interrupted.

He leaned forward a bit, not expecting her voice but longing, and she met his eyes, hers still wet and raw and open.

"You don't… I let that happen too," she admitted, unwilling to let him take all of the blame. "I called myself that, let myself be that. I wanted to be something to you, even if it was just something to fuck when you felt like it."

"It wasn't like that though, I swear," his hand reached forward a bit and he was an inch closer to her, eyes huge. "Every time you came over, every time we had sex… it was me just trying to hold onto you even though I knew it was wrong. I never thought you were a slut or a whore, I just… I wanted you to still be my girlfriend even if I was too stupid to realize it." He bit his lip. "But it still wasn't okay. I shouldn't have let it happen, not that first time or the time during the campaign…"

That had been the one he'd enjoyed the most, when she hadn't been expecting it but had been so willing anyways. He'd been so selfish, using her body to make himself feel good and not even bothering to kiss her lips and say thank you. He grimaced at the memory.

"I shouldn't have let it keep happening and I'm sorry for that too. I just want you to know that you were never my… my whore. It was my stupid selfishness and I'm sorry," he gave her a quick glance. "It's hard for me to resist you but that's still not an excuse and—oh!"

He scooted towards her on the bench seat, reaching forward to open the glove compartment and pull out a bag. Her multiple pairs of panties she'd left in his pocket or on his floor. There were at last six and as she took the bag and glanced inside she squinted, contemplating, before looking at him.

"I didn't make it easy, did I?" her lip curled up a bit and he felt his heart jump at her smile.

"Um… no, but it's still my fault. I could have said no and I didn't."

She set the bag on the floor and finally turned to face him, one leg tucked beneath her as she assessed him, eyebrow raised. So far it seemed like he'd been telling the truth, face so honest and heartbroken that there was no way he was lying. He had the same tears she had in her eyes, ones of pain and heartache and sadness. Of grief, over the trust they'd lost and the hurt that now lay between them.

Was it something that could be fixed?

"So… you really think I would leave you for someone else after you left?" her voice oozed contempt and she realized she was still angry. "That I'd just let some other guy sweep me off my feet because you're not around anymore?"

"Um," he winced. "That's pretty stupid, huh?"

"That's more than stupid, Mike. That's fucking ridiculous," she shook her head. "You're telling me you love me more than anything, that you always have… but you won't believe I feel the same way?"

His mouth gaped open, eyes widening as she began the process of forgiveness and admittance.

"I love you, Mike. I have since you hid me in your basement and fed me Eggos and taught me what it was like to actually live," her voice broke. "I used to be so afraid… I hurt you because of that too. I pulled away and let you think I was unsure about my feelings even though I was just so afraid of loving you…"

"Really?"

His voice was a squeak.

"Even now, even after everything you've done and said… part of me still wants you. I still want you, Mike, and I hate—No, not hate…" she sighed. "I'm just… I'm worried that it's blinding me," she bit her lip. "If you hurt me like this and lied to me… how do I know you won't do it again?"

"El…"

"I don't know if I can survive losing you again," she whispered.

Suddenly they were both crying, but this time when he reached, she didn't flinch away, allowing him to grip her hand tightly in his. It was a lifeline, the only solid connection they had to each other and she clung to him as she hiccupped, a matching sob shaking his body. He shook his head suddenly, reaching up to wipe the tears from his face.

"I won't ever leave you again, El. I promise," his eyes were dead serious. "I'm not… I called the MIT enrollment office and I'm not going—"

"What?!"

Her tears evaporated, replaced by outrage.

"But… that was your dream!" She glared at him. "You were supposed to go, you studied so hard and—"

"I'm still going to college. Indiana University in Bloomington. It's only forty minutes away," he tried to smile. "My dream changed, El."

"B-But," she sputtered. "It was… what about your future? As a tech CEO?"

He was still clutching her hand, looking down at it and turning it over, tracing a nonsensical pattern onto her palm as he tried to find the words to explain why he had done it. It was simple but complicated and he took a deep breath before he looked back up, meeting her stare with eyes so honest and full of love she gasped.

"I don't want that future if you're not in it, El," he scooted closer, face earnest. "You're the only thing I want and if you're not in my future, I don't want it."

He smiled, bringing her hand up to his lips and softly kissing her knuckles, keeping his eyes fixed on hers.

"I love you, El. I love you more than anything. Even college. You're all I've ever wanted… I lived without you once and I never want to again. It hurts too much and I wouldn't survive being so far away from you." He frowned suddenly. "I'm sorry it took so long for me to realize that, but I won't ever hurt you like this again, El. I'll never leave you ever again."

Her eyes softened and he smiled, his own gaze warm and full of undeniable love.

"I promise."

"Promise?" she breathed.

"Promise."

She was crawling to him, across the seat and he leaned towards her, his whole body anticipating meeting hers as she reached for him. Her lips crashed into his and then he was gathering her into his arms, breathing her in like she was oxygen and he'd been drowning. It was full of tears and forgiveness and hope, their lips tracing each other's faces as they tried to make up for the weeks of being apart. Her hands tangled into his hair, keeping him close like she was afraid to let go.

When they pulled back to breath, he looked her in the eyes, reaching up to tuck a strand of loose, honey-brown hair behind her ear so gently she sighed and leaned into his touch. His hand cupped her face, thumb stroking her bottom lip, his nose bumping into hers as he pressed their foreheads together.

"Am I… does this mean you believe me?" he asked, voice full of hope.

"I know when you're lying, Mike," she whispered. "You're not lying."

She was in his lap, curled up, arms around his neck, and she kissed him again, this one less frantic and more needy, her legs moving to straddle his hips. One of the straps of her dress fell down her shoulder, the skirt riding up, and he inhaled sharply, feeling desire stir in him.

But he wouldn't. Not after everything they'd just been through. That would be stupid and rude, the exact thing that had almost destroyed them. There was no way he was giving in, no way in hell, not a single thing could change his—

Her tongue traced his earlobe and he shuddered as she pressed herself against him with a sigh.

"El?"

"Mike?" her eyes were hazy.

"We… we can't. We shouldn't. I don't want you to feel like this is all I want from you," he searched her face, his own earnest. "Because it's not."

"I know, Mike. I was the one who thought that," she pressed her hips down again and he groaned despite himself. "But this is… you love me, right?"

Her eyes were searching his and he tried to hide the desire, afraid she would think it was all he wanted. At her question he sobered, reaching up with both hands to hold her face, thumbs stroking her cheekbones.

"I love you more than anything in this entire world, El," his voice was deliberate and calm. "You are my entire world. I love you so much it almost hurts."

"Then…" she blinked, grabbing his hand with hers and guiding it lower. "Show me. Please, I… I need you to love me again. Not just sex… love. Please?"

There was no way he could refuse her and as she led his hand down to the front of her dress, he let out a long breath. If this was what she wanted…

Her eyes were certain and he nodded, his other hand reaching up to tug her other strap down her shoulder, exposing her bare chest to him as he gazed at up her face.

"I love you, El," he repeated before giving in completely.

He pressed his face between her breasts and inhaled, trying to memorize the smell of her skin, reaching up and cupping them gently, feeling her shudder. He palmed them, squeezing gently and then trailing kisses to the left one and taking it into his mouth as she gasped, sucking and then nibbling. He moved to the other one, repeating his movements and trying to elicit the best responses, listening to her, wanting it to be all about her and her pleasure.

Her hands tangled into his hair and pulled his face back up so she could kiss him again, their tongues tangling as she fell onto her side a bit. Moving her carefully, he gently laid her down on her back, hovering over her as she spread her thighs and let him kneel between them.

It definitely wasn't the first time they'd done this in his car, but it was the first time it was like this, nothing but warm love and trust between them. They kissed again as he leaned down over her, pulling back to look at her. Her dress was pushed down around her waist, chest bared to him, her thighs squeezing his hips as she reached for him, her lips pink and swollen, face flushed.

"You really are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life," he breathed as he ran his hand over her soft skin, thumbing her nipple as she shuddered beneath him. "I can't ever imagine not wanting you, El."

"Love me, Mike," she breathed. "Please."

Their lips met again, open and needy, silent breaths whispering to each other as they kissed and he caught her hand with his, intertwining their fingers and squeezing gently. His head moved down to her neck, lower to her breasts again, making her back arch up to him, her breath catching in her throat. He moved even lower, kissing down her belly until he was at the edge of her skirt, looking up.

"Are you sure?" he blinked, eyes hazy but questioning.

"Yes."

He pushed the fabric up, sitting up a bit and gently tugging her panties up her legs and letting them fall to the floor, quickly moving back between her thighs. His tongue met her wet heat and she gasped, her grip on his hand tightening as he began to lap at her, his other hand on her inner thigh.

"Mike," she gasped.

He looked up and their eyes met as he darted his tongue into her, her eyebrows flying up. He drew gasps and moans from her, never breaking eye contact as he worked her with his tongue, knowing what to do to make her cry out. His hand slid up and then he carefully, slowly, pushed a finger into her, feeling her legs twitch as she groaned. It went in easily, followed by a second, and he synchronized his movements, feeling her start to tighten.

"Oh god," she whimpered, "Oh my god."

He curled his fingers into her, pumping them as he nibbled her clit and she couldn't take it anymore, her body jolting as she squeezed around him, her thighs clenching around his head as she keened loudly, back arching up off the seat.

Normally he would stop after he made her cum, but he didn't, continuing the pressure and keeping his fingers in her, her climax barely winding down before the next one hit, even more intense than the first. Her whole body trembled and her thighs held him like a vice as her back arched for a second time, eyes rolling.

"Fuck!"

She cried out and then her body relaxed, going totally limp as he sat back a bit, feeling her legs shaking as she tried to catch her breath. It took a few seconds but then she looked down at him again, eyes wide and appreciative. He didn't move from between her thighs, licking his lips and feeling a little chapped, though he wasn't going to complain.

"Do you, um, I mean… how many do you want?" he asked, voice unsure.

Her brow furrowed. "How many do I want?"

"I'll keep going," he brushed his fingers against her throbbing center, making her jump. "I'll make you cum as many times as you want."

She looked dumbstruck and then her eyes crinkled up in amusement as she understood what he meant. Her hands reached for him, pulling him back up her body so she could kiss him again, heart thumping as she tasted herself on his lips. She wrapped her legs around his waist so they were pressed together, feeling how hard he was, straining against his jeans. And he was willing to completely forgo any pleasure on his part to make her feel good.

The last bit of hesitation broke and she let the love she felt for him pour out of her and match his own, lips smiling against his.

He loved her. She knew he did but he truly did, in every way. His tears and honesty and willingness to sacrifice things that were important to him for her… she believed him now. The words in the basement had been anger and annoyance and she could see in his eyes that he had never regretted anything so much in his life.

He wanted her, but not just her body, he wanted her. And she wanted him too.

"Mike?"

He pulled back, his hazy eyes meeting hers, questioning.

"Yeah, El? Are you okay?" He looked worried. "Do you want to stop? It's okay, I won't get mad or—"

"Shhh," she hushed him with another kiss and he calmed. "I… I forgive you, Mike. I know you didn't mean it. It just hurt so much I didn't know—"

"I'm so sorry, El," tears flooded his eyes again. "I'm so sorry I hurt you. I'll never do anything that stupid every again."

She kissed the tears from his eyes.

"I know, Mike."

"I love you so much, El," he pressed his nose into her hair, breathing her in. "I'm… I'm always going to be yours. I can't ever love anyone as much as I love you, even if you… if you ever want to leave me. I'll still love you."

The words were hard to get out and his shoulders shuddered as tried to accept his biggest fear, of losing her again. He'd barely survived the first time and she grabbed his face, making him look into her eyes, seeing the tears that stained his face.

"I'm not going to leave you, Mike. You're the only thing I've ever wanted," their hearts seemed to beat together, synching as one. "I'm yours too. Forever. I promise."

"You're m-mine?" his eyes widened.

"I'm yours. Your El," she smiled. "You gave me my name, Mike. I was yours from the beginning."

There were no more words that could be said and she wanted proof, hands moving down and unbuttoning his pants, shoving them down his hips hastily. He sprang free, a groan leaving his throat as he kicked them off, still hesitant despite his obvious desire.

"El," his eyes were full of need, but he had to be sure. "Are you… you won't feel bad?"

"No, Mike. You love me, right?"

"Yes," he didn't hesitate. "More than than anything."

"Show me."

He bumped against her thigh as he shifted, moving forwards so their hips met, both gasping as they made contact. She was soaking, her double orgasm leaving her more than ready, and he throbbed as he pressed against her, pushing forward slowly, her slickness making it easy.

He slipped in and they both groaned, El's hands gripping his biceps as he moved all the way inside of her, filling her completely and making her throw her head back as a ripple of pleasure pulsed through her.

It didn't hurt or feel like too much, it felt perfect and she marveled again at how they were made for each other in every way. He was staring down, at where they bodies were joined, thinking a similar thought but she pulled him back up for a kiss. When the separated she stared into his eyes.

His pupils were dilated, his body reacting to the love he felt for her, every single part of him trying to tell her how much he loved her. He brushed her hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ears and nuzzling her temple sweetly, reveling in the privilege of being allowed inside of her again, even after everything he'd done.

"I don't deserve you," he whispered.

"You loved me when no one else did, Mike," she murmured back. "Without you I'd still think life was better trapped in that lab. You deserve more than anyone I know."

He shifted, hot and heavy inside of her and they groaned, her hips bucking up, begging him to move. But he had to say it, one more time.

"I love you, El."

"I love you too."

He moved his hips, rolling them instead of thrusting, trying to be gentle unlike the last time when he'd fucked her without thinking about her needs. But she didn't want to fuck right now, she wanted him to love her and he would. He was more than willing to give her everything.

Her hips swiveled to meet his and she clenched, her hand cupping his cheek as he looked down at her, her chest heaving with each movement. His hand played with her hair and she snagged his wrist, bringing it to her lips and kissing his palm, shuddering as he moved faster inside of her. He was a master at knowing what made her feel good, the only one to have ever given her this kind of pleasure.

It was why his idea that she would want someone else was so absurd. No one could do better than him, no one could come close.

Her back arched as he grinded deep into her, moving his hips side to side and smiling as she gasped, his name on her tongue. It was his favorite thing, the way she said his name, whether it was in annoyance as he tickled her or like now, when it was a prayer as he moved in her. She was his lover now, not only his love but the one person he could be this close to. The only one.

And she always felt so good, her tight heat enveloping him completely, never ceasing to make him groan. They'd had sex almost two weeks in a row, sometimes more than once, and she never once stopped feeling amazing. She was like a divine miracle, sent just for him, his own personal piece of heaven.

Her walls clenched and he gritted his teeth, refusing to cum so early. Not until she was there with him, not until she felt what he made her feel.

"Fuck," he gasped, trying to calm. "You're my best friend. I… you're my soulmate, El. There's no one else but you."

"Oh," her eyes widened as he sped his hips up. "Oh oh oh, Mike."

Her thighs gripped tightly around his hips, pulling him in even deeper and she cried out as he shifted and moved in at a different angle. Her brows furrowed, mouth gasping, eyes wide as she stared up at him.

"Mike," she keened. "Mike, please, I want you. I love you."

"El," he gasped. "El, my El."

He moved impossibly fast, their hips colliding noisily as he tried to express what she meant to him, just how much he loved her, how much he needed her. Her sweet voice cried out for him, her body tightening around him as she called his name.

She came hard, clenching him like a vise, walls fluttering as her fingers dug into his shoulders and her back arched, eyes rolling so he only saw the whites, her expression one of pure euphoria.

He exploded, his vision whiting out as he spurted into her deeply, painting her inside with his special color, sealing their connection. His body went limp almost immediately and he nearly fell onto her, barely catching himself on his elbows before he crushed her. She was still shuddering and twitching beneath him and then she gasped, every single muscle relaxing as she fell back onto the seat.

They were panting, gasping, the moment between them having stolen their breath completely away, neither able to speak. He tried to move but she didn't let him, keeping him close against her, their hips pressed together.

"Don't," she gasped, "don't pull out yet. I like to—" another gasp, "feel you."

He didn't complain, not wanting to break the connection yet either, shiting a bit instead so he wasn't squishing her as much. It was messy there, her thighs slick, but he didn't complain, instead kissing her forehead, then her cheeks and nose and chin, trying to memorize the feeling of her face with his lips. She giggled and met his lips with hers, deepening the kiss until they both had to pull back catch their breath again.

"That was…" she looked up at him, eyes wide. "I… wow."

She was speechless and he grinned, feeling a little smug. He did know how to make her feel good after all. He liked making her feel good.

"Did I—Was it enough? I could do it again if you want, um, make you—"

"Mike," her eyes danced with laughter. "Don't worry, that one was pretty good."

They were still joined, and she glanced down at their bodies, biting her lip.

"I like having you inside of me," she admitted. "I feel… whole."

"If I could stay like this forever, I would," he promised. "I love you, El."

"I love you more," she teased.

"Not possible."

She started to sit up, giving him the okay to move and he pulled himself out, frowning as he dribbled onto her thigh and looking around for something to wipe her off with, feeling bad.

"Shit, sorry, El. I haven't… that was, um, a lot, sorry—"

"It's okay, Mike," she tilted her head cheekily. "That was one thing I didn't mind, honestly."

"You didn't mind what?" He didn't catch her meaning.

"Your cum. On my thighs," she shrugged and moved his hands away. "I like it. It's part of you I get to keep that no one knows about."

He swallowed. That was super fucking hot but he didn't want to say that and make her feel used again. It kind of was a dominance thing, the first time he'd said that at the party, angry that she would try and go fuck someone else. But apparently it had become something else to her and he nodded.

"Oh. Okay."

She laughed. "Is that okay with you?"

"Yeah, totally," his heart pounded. "I'll… as long as it doesn't make you feel… bad."

"Nah," she shook her head as sat up all the way. "I mean, should I feel slutty having my boyfriend's cum on me? I think it's kind of sweet…"

The air left his lungs and his eyes flew wide.

"Wait—did you say, I mean, are you saying you—" he was spluttering, too excited to be able to get a single world out right. "Are we, I mean, did you want—"

"I said I wanted you, Mike. I forgive you for making a mistake, like you've always forgiven me," her eyes crinkled happily. "I believe you, that you love me. You promised, right?"

"Yes," he said quickly.

"Then… of course I want you back. Or do you…" Fear filled her eyes. "Unless you don't want me—"

He crashed his lips into hers, kissing her so fiercely that there was no doubt whether or not he wanted her. Her hands tangled into his hair as he pulled her into his lap, one hand on her waist and the other holding her face to his. He pulled back.

"Does that answer that question?"

"Yes," she breathed.

"I love you, El. You're my best friend, my sunshine, the best thing I've had in my life—"

"Your soulmate?" She raised a brow and he flushed, remembering his words while in the throes of passion.

"Yeah, that too."

He grabbed her hand, placing it on his chest and resting his over it, pressing it against his heart.

"Do you feel that?" She nodded, biting her lip. "It beats for you, El. Only you."

Her fingers intertwined with his and then she placed his hand over her heart, letting him feel each beat, eyes half-lidded, lips curving upward.

"I think we have the same heart," she mused. "Because mine beats the same as yours."

He let her hand go and took his other one back from her, reaching up he cupped her face with his hands, bringing her lips to his for a chaste kiss and then resting his forehead against hers, trying to breathe in and remember the moment.

She had offered him grace and forgiveness despite how much he didn't deserve it, despite what he'd done and his heart swelled with gratitude. He had never deserved her and he never would, but that didn't keep her from wanting him. Their hearts were one, their bodies were one, and she melted against him, tucking herself into him as he held her.

"Are you really not going to MIT?" she whispered, hating to break the moment but wanting to know if he was serious.

"I dropped out," he admitted. "It wasn't a full scholarship there anyways, Indiana U offered me a full ride and it's closer and Dustin is going too."

"But they don't have as good of programs," she tried to protest.

"I don't need their programs, El. I'll figure it out… I wasn't really loving the idea of taking business classes anyways. CEOs are overrated… maybe I'll become a teacher instead. Like Mr. Clarke."

"But—"

"El, listen to me," he tilted her chin with gentle fingers so their eyes met. "I love you and I want to be near you… but it wasn't just you. The closer it's been getting to leaving the more I've been dreading it. I felt… in over my head. And not in a good way. I wasn't excited at all, I was just anxious and panicky and full of dread. Being away from home, from the guys…" he kissed her softly. "And from you."

He snuggled into her, pressing his face into the crook of her neck and inhaling her scent, his breath tickling her and making her squirm. He pulled back.

"I feel better now… everyone kind of expected me to go to MIT but I realized it's not… I didn't want it as much as I thought I did. So don't feel guilty or try and blame yourself because I feel happier now than I have in my entire life."

"Really?"

"Really." His arms tightened around her. "My future is right here."

She laughed and twisted around so she could kiss him again, letting his happiness overflow into her and believing that he had made the right choice.

They talked for the next hour and a half, filling each other in on everything that had happened since they'd been apart. He told her about the funny customers he'd dealt with and she told a story about a dog she'd been dogsitting for that had dropped a dead mouse in her lap a few days ago. What their families had been up to. What their friends were doing.

It was like nothing had happened, his body warm against her as he held her close, occasionally tickling her or kissing her. But there was something more that surrounded them, the usual glow of love intensified to a higher degree. They had both broken and bent, but were now stronger than ever, the trust and belief even deeper than before. He promised to be honest about his fears from now on and she promised to always tell him if she felt uncomfortable or used.

Never again would they splinter apart so intensely again. It was a different love, better somehow, softer and gentler, soothing the broken pieces and fixing them back together. It would get them through the rest of their lives, through the joys and pitfalls and the lulls of nothing inbetween.

"Mike?"

Her head was on his shoulder, her entire body tucked him into, her dress soft against his skin.

"Hm?"

"I love you," her face was pressed against his neck, so her words were muffled.

He exhaled contentedly, wrapping his arms around her waist and squeezing her so tightly she squeaked a bit, smiling and nuzzling her temple.

"I love you too, El."

Closing his eyes he made a silent promise to himself to never let her go again, to never hurt her again and be so stupid and selfish. To always protect her, even from himself, to love her as deeply as possible and share everything.

His hand found hers, tracing patterns on the back sweetly as she sighed happily and snuggled further into him, her breath warm on his skin.

"I always will."

AN:

Annnnnd it's done. I'm not planning an epilogue so this is kinda it. Thanks for hanging in here with me even though it took so long. I'm not sure when I'll have again to think up another story but if you guys have requests feel free to shoot them my way.

I do have some one-shots that I think I might write, but I'm just really busy and tired so I can't make any promises.

Leave me reviews though, that motivates me more than anything. I love hearing what you all like and knowing what you want. I'm a people please, I suppose.

Thanks again!

~Wyn