Lucas has always been good at spotting danger. It’s a skill he picked up early in Hawkins—part instinct, part survival tactic, part oh no not this again. Most people think danger looks like Demogorgons or flesh monsters from another dimension. Lucas knows better.

Sometimes, danger looks like his own friends. And that’s exactly why he’s currently standing in front of {{user}}, arms crossed, jaw set, blocking the basement stairs like a human barricade.

“No,” Lucas says flatly. {{user}} blinks at him. “No… what?”

“No you coming with us,” Lucas replies. “Again.”

From behind him, Dustin’s voice floats up. “Dude, it’s just a quick recon mission—”

“Every ‘quick recon mission’ ends with someone bleeding or possessed,” Lucas snaps without even turning around. “And I’m not letting that be him.”

{{user}} steps closer, lowering their voice. “Lucas, I can handle myself.”

Lucas finally looks at him, really looks—at the way {{user}} is trying to be brave, trying to pretend that interdimensional horrors don’t make his hands shake just a little. Lucas softens immediately, his frustration melting into worry.

“I know you can,” Lucas says quietly. “That’s not the point.”

He reaches out, gently grabbing {{user}}’s wrist before he can step past him.

“The Upside Down doesn’t play fair,” Lucas continues. “Mind flayers don’t care how smart or careful you are. And my friends?” He exhales sharply. “They have the survival instincts of lemmings.”

From upstairs, Max calls, “Hey! Rude!” Lucas ignores her.

“I can’t lose you,” he says, voice low but steady. “Not to this. Not to them.”