Jopper Oneshots

Awakening

When Hopper woke up that day, he first thought, it was all just a dream. This ticklish feeling on his nose, just an illusion. That he had too much alcohol and his mind made up all the things that happened last night. But the weight on his body, the legs tangled in his, had to be real, right? He opened his eyes and looked down on her. Joyce was snuggled into him, still asleep. He watched her back rise and fall under his touch.

All he could do, was watching her sleep in humility. He didn't want to wake her, so he just laid there and caressed her back gently. Suddenly anxiety crawled up his spine. What if she didn't meant those things she said and did yesterday? What if all that was just a mistake for her, happened because of too much alcohol?

Joyce began to rise. „Mmmhhh Ohh my head. Is it morning already?" Hopper froze. His heart raced in his chest, so fast, she had to feel it. He stared down at her, eyes wide open in shock. „Hop, is everything ok? Your chest is about to explode." she said, voice thick with sleep.  „Mhm. Yeah. Listen Joyce. I understand, if this isn't... I mean if yesterday.. If you change your mind.." He fumbled awkwardly with her hair. „Yeah Hop? I meant what I said yesterday. And I really, really had a great time with you." she propped herself up on her elbows and kissed him gently on his cheek. „Did you change your mind?"

„No, no. I meant it too, and this means a lot to me, Joyce. I stay with you, as long, as you'll have me." He tucked her hair behind her ear and stroked with his thumb over her cheek. „Good. Because I don't plan to let you slip away. Took us long enough." she giggled. „And I think we have that date to get to" she played with his chest hair. „Yeah, Friday. Looking forward to it." he smirked down on her.

Joyce climbed onto him, pressed her body flush against his and kissed him intimate on his lips. She just wanted to feel him. Finally she felt whole, felt safe. The sparks between them, a firework of feelings. It all felt, like they did this their whole lives. The shared history, the shared trauma, all that stuff made it different, more intimate between them.

They stayed like this for a while, caressing and kissing each other in a way, both never had before. „What do you say? I make us breakfast and then we pick up the kids. And maybe Murray too. I think Karen is already annoyed of him." she offered. „Sure. Uhm. Should we tell the kids?" Hopper fiddled again nervously with her hair. „Yeah. I think they should know. I wanna kiss you, when I want." and she kissed him again. „Kiss me when you want?" He still couldn't believe, that this was real. „Hop? That's what people do in relationships." with that she stood up and got in the bathroom, taking a shower. „In relationships." He squeaked to himself.

After both cleaned up and ate breakfast, they got in the Blazer and drove to the Wheeler's. Hopper rang the doorbell. Murray shot up from the couch immediately. „Nobody's home you commie bast... oh. Right. At Wheeler's." he opened the door and grinned widely at the sight before him. „Awwww. Look who's back. KAREN! Mission completed! The lovebirds got it finally out of their systems." He yelled at the stairs. „Bauman, what is wrong with you?" Hopper shot him the death stare. „Oh come on Jim. The ‚I finally got laid, from the woman I've had a crush on for ages, but was too afraid to admit it' look is written all over your face. And you, missy? The after sex glow on your face nearly blinds me." he giggled. „I think whole Hawkins, no, the whole world is glad your bickering came to an end." Murray added.

„No, seriously. You two up for a little chit chat, before I leave this shithole?" Murray asked. „Sure. Give us an hour and then you can come over to my house." Joyce offered. Karen or Ted still didn't show up, so Hopper went to the door of the basement and opened it. „El, time to go. Byers? Your Mom is here, too. We wait outside." He went back outside, sitting down on the steps next to Joyce. „So, what do we gonna tell them?" Hopper was nervous. He was scared, her boys would have a problem with him, dating their mom. „Oh we just tell them the truth. That we're dating now and then we'll see, how they take it."

Finally, all Kids were in the cars and both families drove to Joyce's house. The boys shared an awkward look, when Hopper and El came in too. „Kids, We want to tell you something. Please sit down on the table." Joyce said. „Mom is something wrong? Did something happen?" Will asked. „No, honey. We just want to let you know, that Hop and I, We, are a thing now. We're dating and we hope, this is ok for all of you." Joyce said very calm. Jonathan and Will exchanged looks again and giggled. „What is so funny about that?" Hopper furrowed his brow. „Oh nothing, Chief. We all just thought, this ‚thing' is already going on for a while. But it really is ok for us. I'm Happy for you Mom." Jonathan explained. „Yeah. We all are Happy for you two." Will added. „So you are in a relationship? Like me and Mike?" El asked. „Yeah kid. I think that kinda is it." Hopper said. „I'm so happy. This is great." El smiled widely.

„Is it ok, if we go to my room? Wanna show El a few drawings." Will asked. „Yeah, sure. But we drive home soon. I let you know when." Hopper told them. All three went to Wills room. Joyce sat on the table across from Hopper. „You wanna come and sit next to me a bit?" Hopper looked at her dreamily and pulled the chair on his right closer to him. Joyce stood up in a hurry, like an impatient child and ran to the chair next to him. They moved their chairs, until they faced each other. Both leaned forward, arms on their knees. Hopper took her hands in his and toyed with her fingers. Joyce gave him a peck on the lips, eyes stared into his. They couldn't stop grinning and because this wasn't enough, they started to kiss again. This time it was so gentle, like the sun rose this morning. Passionate, like a fire burning. Meaningful, like a promise between soulmates.

And he just held her and kissed her, like she was his lifeline. And she let him. Lost in each other, they didn't recognize anything around them. Suddenly, the door swung open. „Oh god lovebirds. I know you two would be inseparable, when you finally get together. But this? Beyond any imagination." Murray blurted out. They let go of each other and moved back to the table. Murray sat down across from them. „So, Joyce. What is this big man baby like in the sack? I take a coffee, by the way. Thanks." He couldn't give them a break. Joyce made his coffee. They talked about an hour, before Murray started his journey home. „Don't mess this up, Jim. Never let your little bird fly away. Seriously. Invite me for the wedding."

„I should get going." Hopper said. He brought her in a hug, his hands tangled together on her lower back. Joyce had her hands around his neck and smiled up at him. They slowly swayed together. „Yeah. You should." Joyce responded. One last kiss. No one wanted to let the other go. They couldn't get enough of each other. Hopper fetched El from Will's Room, everyone said their goodbyes. El closed the door behind her. Suddenly, Hopper bursted in the room again. „Ok, one last kiss, then I'm out." he ran to Joyce and kissed her for the second last time. Joyce laughed with her whole heart. „Bye Hop. Don't be a stranger." She admonished. „Oh I need cigarettes tomorrow anyway. Bye." Joyce watched them drive out of her driveway, until she couldn't see the Blazer anymore.