It was the first night they would have to share the bed. Both of them were nervous. Joyce kept reminding herself that they were adults, and could handle it. But when she saw him sitting on the edge of the bed in nothing but pajama pants, his scarred back to her, she wasn't so sure. She swallowed and put her dirty clothes she just exchanged for pajamas in the laundry basket. After that she removed the comforter from the top of the pillows. "I have that lamp if you need dim lighting, otherwise when the main lights are off it'll be pitch black. I'm fine with either... do you have a preference?"
"It's your room, Joyce." Hopper shrugged.
"Yes. And you're my guest." Guest seemed like an interesting word to describe what Hopper was to her...
"Dim is fine." Those three words and their awkward conversation was over. They sat side by side, the only light from the lamp, and turned back to back.
•
It was maybe half a week later, and the two grew closer together. Sharing the bed was no longer an awkward experience for either of them. Today, the kids were to be at the Wheelers for one big sleepover. The two adults stayed in bed where they had the TV in front of them. Joyce sighed, squinting at the screen. "What should we watch?" She asked. Jim mumbled in thought, looking along with her.
"Uhh, The Addams Family is on?"
"I hate horror movies." Joyce scrunched her nose.
"I know. It's not a horror movie." Jim shrugged a little.
"Yes it is, it's creepy."
"Well, it's not horror, it's not even a thriller."
"It's. Creepy."
"Yes, but it is not a horror movie."
"Whatever. We'll just pick a different one anyways." Joyce groaned. "How about Overboard?"
"There's no action." Hopper shook his head.
"It's romance."
"I didn't say it was a certain genre, I just said that there was no action."
"Why is this so difficult?" Joyce playfully glared at Jim who just shrugged.
"The Outsiders? Heathers? ;) The Breakfast Club? Come on, woman, just pick something."
"Okay, okay. The Outsiders is good." And so they put it on. Maybe half way into the movie, Hopper felt a light sort of pressure come down on his shoulder. He turned to look and was met with a head full of brown curls. He took a deep breath as his stomach churned on itself. As softly as he could, he allowed his own head to fall onto hers. He assumed she noticed because he felt an arm slip between his own and his torso. His hand itched. Not physically, but his fingers desperately wished to lace with hers. So he did. And she didn't pull back. He took that as a win. "Hop?"
"Hm?"
"Could you hand me that water next to you?" It was on the nightstand. He grabbed it and he gave it to her. "Thanks, hun." She took a drink, placing the bottle beside her, and she sighed contently while she snuggled back up to him. He took an even bolder move when he removed his arm and instead put it around her furthest shoulder. He thought he might vomit when all she did was move her body even closer to his. The credits rolled onto the screen, and it was silent. Joyce turned her head to look at him. He looked back at her. His hand came up to her cheek, that thumb stroking left and right, and then again. She didn't blink. She didn't a even notice, but she held her breath for a moment. His gaze went down to her lips, then back to her eyes, looking for permission to place his own upon them. She only gave him a small smile. That hand went down to her chin and he leaned in, Joyce actually coming closer as well. He tilted his head to the side a little bit so his lips would fit against hers no problem. And they did. And after when they pulled apart, he only wanted it again. He figured he could never get sick of it.
"Joyce..."
"No. Let me go first." She shook her head. "I didn't want to admit it to myself, let alone to you, because of everything that happened with my ex husband, and then what happened to Bob... but if I ignore it any longer, that elephant will grow too big for this room." She swallowed and took a deep breath. "I love you. And I want to be with you. I want to go on that date at Enzo's. And then after that, I want to go on more." Her eyes grew a smidge shinier, and he only smiled.
"God, I've been waiting for you to say that for years. I love you too, Joy." He pulled her in and kissed her again, breathlessly this time. She reached out for his shirt and pulled it over his head, straddling his lap, and attatching her lips to his jaw.

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