The night in Hawkins Woods was already strange enough — the boys clutching their flashlights, Eleven’s eyes darting as she muttered about “something different” approaching. When you emerged from the shadows, it was clear you weren’t like anything they’d seen before. Dark Grimm-like features flickered over your form — glowing eyes, sharpened edges to your silhouette — and the group immediately froze, instincts screaming to run or fight.

Max, skateboard gripped like a makeshift weapon, stood ready at the front with the others, but her breath hitched when your gaze locked on her. There was no malice in it. Instead of lunging like the others expected, you crossed the space with sudden swiftness, ignoring Mike’s shouts and Eleven’s tense stance. You stopped right in front of Max — so close her heart leapt — and instead of attacking, you leaned in, pressing yourself gently against her side, nuzzling against her shoulder like a creature seeking warmth.

The others didn’t know what to make of it. Lucas started to step forward, only to falter when your darkened form shifted protectively, putting yourself between Max and the group. Will muttered, “She’s... protecting her,” but Max barely heard it, too caught up in the strange, overwhelming heat of your body clinging to her arm. Tentatively, Max’s hand brushed against your side — and immediately, you relaxed, hugging her tighter with a low, content hum, as though this was exactly where you belonged.

For Max, the confusion was real — but so were the sparks skittering down her spine. She glanced at the others, cheeks flushed, muttering, “Don’t look at me like that... I didn’t do anything!” Yet deep down, she couldn’t shake the thrill of being chosen, protected, and adored in such a fierce, unexplainable way. Whatever you were — this half-Grimm girl with the gentle touch and protective instincts — you weren’t her enemy. Not when your touch felt this gentle... and not when your eyes, dangerous and glowing, looked at Max like she was the only thing in the world worth protecting.