𝗯𝗼𝘆𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗴𝘀 • 𝘀𝘁 𝘅 𝘁𝗯𝗽

chapter three

vance and jim got the paperwork as soon as they could, getting everything easily set up. however, getting griffin was a much longer process. after the investigation was launched it was easily proven that vance's stepdad was not fit for being a parent. unfortunately, after that came a lot of court. it took about two months for everything to get sorted out. they got really lucky, as most adoption cases take atleast twelve months. hopper being a cop helped them out big time, and the tough situation they were in also allowed them to get some slack.

it took a couple more weeks to get everything moved out and then moved into the new house. currently, they were getting the last few boxes moved in. vance and griffin were rooming with eachother, as they only had one extra room, but neither of the boys minded. vance set his last box down on his bed and looked around the room, a small smile spreading on his face. joyce walked into the room behind vance quietly, he didn't notice at first, but he saw her when she entered his peripheral vision.

neither of them looked eachother, but after a couple minutes, vance spoke up. "i think i can work with this." joyce couldnt help a small smile. "i'm glad. we're happy to have you here." she put her hand on his shoulder. vance smiled softly. he was glad for this. he couldnt lie, joyce reminded him of his mother. he liked it. a silence started to fall over them, but it was quickly interrupted by hopper and griffin running in. griffin was giggling and squealing while hopper chased him, grabbing him and lifting him up. vance watched them and he could feel his smile grow. he was grateful griffin would have a good father to grow up with. he was grateful to not have to be with that shithead stepdad of his, as well. things were looking good for them, finally.
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dinner was.. awkward, to say the least. its not that anyone wasn't welcoming of vance and griffin, it was just out of their routine. the silence was deafening but no one knew how to speak up about it. it didn't help that it was pretty squished since jonathan had invited argyle over. after a good five minutes, argyle finally spoke up. unfortunately, he was apparently the worst person who could have spoke. "so, vance.. you beat that kid up at the grab and go, right? that was you, right?" vance choked on his water and he noticed how everyone at the table's eyes practically popped out. he sucked air in through his teeth sharply.

"yeah. that was me." he said hesitantly. there was no point in hiding, everyone at the table had definitely heard that story. "yikes.. ya know, one time el here beat up a girl at the skating rink." he gestured to the girl on the other side of the table. her eyes widened and she put her head in her hands. "it was crazy, she got arrested and shit. did you get arrested?" jonathan smacked him in the arm and argyle looked at him, an entirely confused look on his face. jonathan muttered a small, 'quit talking' and argyle held his hands up defensively.

will cleared his throat. "uhm, thanks for dinner, mom." joyce smiled at that, they were all grateful for the subject change. "thank you, will." she smiled. vance spoke up. "yeah, thanks for dinner, mrs. byers-" a small frown crossed joyce's face. "oh, no, you don't have to call me that. you can just call me joyce." she offered a small smile. "or mom." hopper threw in, earning a kick in the knee from joyce. she understood why vance wouldn't want to do that. "ow! it was just a suggestion." hopper said gruffly, poking his fork into the meat. vance couldnt help a smile. although it wasn't exactly a 'perfect' family dinner, it was the best he'd had. his stepdad didn't cook, so him and griffin usually just had chips for dinner, and they usually ate alone. but this was way different, and vance liked it. he figured he was gonna like it here. a lot. maybe it wouldn't take too long for him to get adjusted.
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word count: 729
bro so many ppl asked for this and half of them ain't even reading it 😭