"The way he looks at her. Like she's the most important thing in the world to him." "I think she is."
Experiment X - that's was she was known as. A dangerous weapon that belonged to a lab in the Soviet Union. An assassin. A spy.
A seventeen year old...
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- ELATED -
ONE MONTH LATER...
Hopper had quite the surprise for Irina. Herself and Eleven had been staying with him since the day they killed the mind flayer. Of course, Eleven was living with him anyway, but Irina had no one since Svetlana. So, since the three of them had become somewhat of a little family, he decided to work his magic with Doctor Owens and file to adopt them. Both of them.
He told Eleven before Irina because Irina had turned 18 not long ago, so she had to give her legal consent. Hopper had her sit at the dining room table with him after dinner and he placed the envelope in front of her.
"What is it?" She asked.
"Open it." Hopper urged and Irina began opening the envelope. "Now, I know it's a little far fetched, but I just thought..." he trailed off when he heard Irina sniffle.
"Y-you want to adopt me?" She snivelled, teary eyed.
"I do, kid. You and El." He smiled. Irina nodded vigorously before jumping out of her seat and embracing Hopper in a tight hug.
"It means you will be my father, yes? And El will be my sister?" She sobbed and Hopper nodded. "And on the certificate it states my name as 'Irina Hopper'."
"I mean, it doesn't sound half as cool, but-"
"I love it." Irina grinned.
***
Irina had phoned Steve that night to tell him everything. After the demodogs and Svetlana she needed time to mourn, and Steve respected and helped her through that. It brought them closer. They phoned each other every day. Steve had taken her to his favourite places to eat and to the movies. But he wanted more. He wanted to take her out on a proper date. He wanted to ask her out on a date. Not just imply it. The night of the Snowball was fast approaching and Steve had agreed to give Dustin a ride. He took it as the perfect opportunity to take Irina out. He rang her up and nervously asked the question. To his relief, she said yes.
So, here he was, in his car with Dustin waiting for Irina to emerge from her house. His leg was bouncing and he let out a nervous breath.
"Dude, chill out. It's Irina." Dustin said.
"I am chill. I don't know what you're talking about." Steve defended.
"I can see the sweat on your palms." Dustin laughed and Steve sighed, wiping his hands on his jeans.
