bad hopper x reader

3

"He said what?"

"He said it would 'just lead to punishment'. Like what is that even supposed to mean?"

"I don't know... it sounds like a threat. Are you sure you're safe at this job?" Your mom looks at you, concern washing over her face. It had been a few weeks since you started work and besides your first day everything had gone quite smoothly actually. Chief Hopper's shockingly quiet and reserved, which you don't have a problem with. He talks to everyone else quite a bit more but you don't mind, you just figure it's because you're new and he doesn't know what to talk about with you. Besides work, of course. The rest of the officers are really nice and welcoming, a bit more talkative. Although everything was going fine you still find yourself thinking about Hoppers words. That was the first and only time he had ever said such a thing, it was just odd. You thought about it so much that when your mother came to visit it was the first thing you mentioned to her.

"Ma I'm a cop. Most of my job is unsafe," You sip your coffee, an excuse to gather your thoughts. "I'm sure he was just implying that i'd lose my job or something. I mean- it makes the most sense. I was 45 minutes late on my first day of work, not exactly a good look for me."

"Well- if you say so. I just worry about you, you moved so far from home and you can't even tell me why."

You look at her, dread bleeding into your voice before you speak, "What's that gotta do with my job? And I already told you, I wasn't happy living in New York. I needed a new start. Something fresh. Something small. New York was huge, it could never find my place there. Living here— I've had nothing but good change." Good change was a stretch, unless you count oversleeping and depression room "good change". It doesn't matter anyways, you're away from Liam which was the main goal.

"I know, I just get this feeling that you're not telling me anything. Out of nowhere you decided to pack your bags and leave? Is that not weird to you?" You notice her voice becoming more angry, desperate for a truth you're too embarrassed to tell. You could hardly imagine telling her that you left your hometown because of a man. A fucking man.

Your anger and frustration begin to leak out into your voice. "What is there to say? I've told you the whole truth. I wanted something different. I like it here, why can't you understand that?" You pupils burn holes in hers as you await her response.
   
           After a moment you break the silence, "Why can't you just be happy for me. I'm finally in a place that feels like home for me, I'm sorry that I'm not close enough to home or whatever but can you at least try to support me?" More silence filled the room.

          "Whatever, I don't have time for this I have work. You can go make yourself comfortable in the guest room." You stand up and head to your room to click on your utility belt before heading out and driving to the station.

*      *      *

            Over the drive to the station you get lost in your mind and tears begin to pour out of your eyes. "Are you serious? It was just a small fight and you're fucking crying?" You think, belittling yourself for your feelings, "And now your makeup's gonna be ruined. Great."

           As you're pulling into the station you spot Chief Hopper in your rear view window. He's just smoking a cigarette, nothing entirely out of the norm. It's just odd because he hasn't been outside waiting for your arrival since you were late... and now you're on time and he's— still waiting.
    
          After checking and fixing your appearance in your vanity mirror you step outside, immediately making eye contact with the chief for a fraction of a second. In that fraction, a feeling hit you. Choosing to ignore it, you continued walking.
 
           "Good morning Chief," Immediately after speaking the feeling came back... something in your stomach swirled as the words fell out. It felt juvenile, like having a crush on your older brother's best friend.

           "I need to have a word with you in my office,"within an instant your heart dropped. Every swirl in your stomach straightened out into pricks, and all the feelings vanished. You haven't seen cold angry Hopper in weeks. What could you have possibly done this time?

            "Yes sir, but- I haven't done anything- at least nothing I'm aware of." Rather than responding, Hopper puts out his cigarette and guides you to his office.
          
            "Come on, can't you just tell me what I did to upset you?"

              He finally spoke. "Sit down."