𝐽𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑂𝑛𝑒𝑆ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑠

❀𝐶𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑛 (1/2)

Request/Idea from MuffinTopJopper
Set after the huge mall battle (Hopper is ALIVE)

Joyce's feet ached, head pounding, and all she wants is some water and a fat nap. Everyone is beaten up, in shock, and honestly need to go home and sleep. But instead they were in the woods. She sighed and leaned against a tree. "Hey." A voice called to her. She knew who it was. "We should take the kids back to my cabin and get them cleaned up. I have a big first aid kit." Hopper pulled at his shirt. "Plus we should probably get out of these." The two chuckled gently at the uniforms.

"That sounds good." Joyce smiled gently at Hopper.

"Kiddos! Grab any flashlight you have, grab a buddy, and we're gonna play follow the leader." Jim announced, pulling out his own flashlight.

"Where are we going?" Dustin asked.

"To my cabin. My... SECRET... cabin." Hopper turned around and raised his eyebrows at the curly haired boy who just nodded. Joyce walked right beside Hopper, their hands would brush up against each other's and it felt like fire. But it wasn't bad. In fact, it felt amazing. The way was a bit long. Joyce would turn to make sure they had everyone, but the two were decently far ahead. "Joyce?"

"Yeah?"

"You're really quiet. What's wrong?"

"Just because I'm quiet, somethings wrong?" She raised an eyebrow in the darkness, a small frown on her face.

"Yes. So talk to me."

"I'm just tired, Hop. Don't worry." She gently elbowed him. "Besides... it's Max we should worry about right now. She just watched her brother die. Brutally. God, I hope this is over. Everyone is just... dying... and- you- I almost lost YOU- I was really close-"

"Joy... you're babbling." Hopper felt bad, but he smiled a bit. He smiled because she cared. That she was so flustered about him almost being taken away.

"Sorry, I just... I'm overtired and I either can't talk, or I can't stop." She looked over and up at him and he looked back at her for a second before returning to the path.

"You don't have to apologise. Did you need the first aid kit at all?"

"No, I don't really have injuries that need treatment. Did you need anything? I can do it. I mean, we are the only adults here." Joyce chuckled a little.

"I'm alright too... Uh... about what you said before... Are you serious about that date?" Hopper felt like it was dumb, that he just helped fight a monster from another realm, but his stomach still twisted when he asked her that one question that he somewhat regretted as soon as it left his mouth.

"Yeah. Do you know me? If I wasn't serious about it, I wouldn't have said it." Joyce's heart pounded as she grabbed his hand subtly, but that pound turned into a flutter when he intertwined their fingers. She felt so stupidly in love, like a teenager even though she was well into adult hood. If only she could see Hopper smiling like a fool. When they reached the cabin, Hopper stopped. "What's wrong?"

"The trip wire." Hopper took a big step just to be safe in case he was a couple centimeters or inches off. He made it. Joyce helped Hopper guide all the kids over the wire and they entered the cabin. Luckily for Hopper and El, they left nothing behind that would suggest it was anything more than a normal cabin for a get-away. Joyce closed the door once everyone was in.

"Hop? How do you lock this?" Joyce called, there was a little bit of ruckus from the group of teenagers. Jim came through and locked it himself. Joyce tugged at her hair that was up tight and scratched at her scalp.

"Need help?"

"Nope." Joyce tugged at the hair tie until it came out and she put in a loose ponytail.

"I don't have any pants for you, but you can have a shirt." Hopper gestured towards his bedroom.

"I should probably take care of the kids first."

"We." Hopper corrected. Joyce playfully rolled her eyes.

"Whatever. WE should probably take care of the kids before we change."

"I'll go get the first aid kit, you pick us each a kid to start with."

"This isn't a JOB these are our kids and their friends." Joyce called back to Hopper as he walked away. Then she made her way over to a certain red head. Max was picking at the skin around her thumbs when Joyce approached her. "Hey." Joyce gave her a gentle smile that Max wasn't in the state to return.

"Hi."

"How are you holding up? Do you need anything from me?"

"No."

"I know I'm not your mom, but you can talk to me anytime."

"Thanks." Max responded. Joyce gestured for a hug which Max actually took. And her tears started to flow. Silently. But her body was helplessly shaking from the fear, shock, and many other emotions that hit her at once.

"I know, honey..." The brunette woman gently rocked the young girl, rubbing circles onto her back. Hopper had come back from getting the first aid kit. He had been back for a while. But he couldn't bring himself to say anything. His eyes were fixed on the moment between Max and Joyce. The effect that Joyce's embrace had on Max baffled and amazed him. He looked in awe. His heart aching for the crying girl, and his heart longing for the woman embracing her. He swallowed and blinked quickly to try and bring himself back.