Jopper Oneshots

Out in the Cold [Angst & Fluff]

The door slammed shut, rattling in the door frame. The cold air hit him like a truck, and he was tempted to go back inside. He wanted nothing more than to go in there, apologize, and make up for the dumb fight that he had started. But something kept him there, although he didn't know if it was pride or something else holding him back.

He turned away from the door, looking out to the snow covered yard. Nothing out of the ordinary was there, just his car and some trees. He sat down on the porch steps and put his head in his hands. 'God... I'm so stupid. I didn't need to pick that fight. She probably hates me now. Did I really just lose my best friend over something that dumb?' His mind was racing.

He pulled out a cigarette, and his lighter. He wanted to smoke, just to calm down, but his lighter wouldn't catch. When it did, the wind blew the flame back and he burned his thumb. "Fuck!" He dropped the lighter in the snow and shook his hand.

The door clicked closed. He spun around, tense, and found Joyce standing there. She was huddled in a large jacket that was his. Her hands were tucked into the pockets his jacket and her cheeks were red. She looked very cold and uncomfortable, but she sat down next to him.

He wrapped his arm around her when she leaned against him, hoping to protect her from the cold a bit. "Joyce... you should go inside. It's cold out here." He didn't want her to get sick, whether he was mad at her or not.

She shook her head, something he only noticed because she was pressed into him. "No, Hopper. I'm not leaving you out here in the cold. You're gonna get sick!"

"I'll be fine, Joyce."

"You're not wearing a jacket. Hell, you're not wearing shoes! You're going to get hypothermia!"

"Joyce, don't... I feel like a shit person because you're a good person and I'm over here picking dumb fights with you. I was an asshole. I was a fucking jerk. There's no reason for you to be talking to me right now, not after what I just did." He looked away from her, mad at himself for doing that to her.

"Hopper, I'm talking to you because I forgave you, because I love you. You're my best friend, damn it. I'm not leaving you out here in the cold because of something dumb I said."

"Joyce, no. I started that argument. That was all my fault."

"Hopper, it doesn't fucking matter. It doesn't matter who started it. I already forgave you. Just come inside. Please." He looked back to her. "Please." She was basically begging him.

He looked away for a second, then picked up his lighter and pushed off the steps. He helped her stand and steadied her. Once she was standing and stable he hugged her. "I'm sorry, Joyce. I love you."

"I love you too, Hop."

They broke apart and walked into her house together.