𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐲

xiv. promise me.

JAMES DIDN'T hesitate to get up, "gonna get another cup." He told Steve quietly who watched him, "you have a problem." He said and the Hopper rolls his eyes, walking towards the staff room where he poured himself another mug. He added sugar and cream, but it never tasted as good as when Steve made it, so he grimaced the moment he took a sip.

He spun around and flinched when he saw El standing there. "Jesus, kid," he sighed, holding a hand to his chest. "Sorry." She said and he stepped back a bit, leaning against the counter. "You're sneaky." He points at her and all she did was give him a small smile. "Jamie?" She says and he just hums, "yeah?" He said and she stepped closer, hugging him. He was taken back by the sudden gesture.

"I love you. You know that? You're the best big brother any girl could ever ask for." She said quietly in their hug and he just squeezed her gently, his brows furrowing together. Where was this coming from? "I love you too, Ellie..." He says and she raised her head to look at him, her eyes were all serious. "If something... happened, it wouldn't be your fault." She told him and he just stared at her, confused.

"Ellie, why would you say that--" "just promise me that you know that. Promise me you'll stop blaming yourself for things far out of your control, James." She said and he just took a deep breath. "El--" "promise me." She cut him off again and he just gulped. "I promise. El, wh--what's wrong? Please, we can work through it together. Me, you and dad. A team, like always, right?" He said as he rubs her back gently.

She shook her head softly, "this... this is different. Not like before." She said quietly and he frowned. "What does that even mean?" He asked and she just hugged him tightly again. "I just wanted you to know that. I don't know what's gonna happen tonight. But I needed to tell you that I love you and that you're the best brother ever." She whispered and he just kept squeezing her in his arms, still confused.

He wondered what would be so terrible that could happen. And for a moment, he wondered if this could possibly be the last proper conversation they'd ever have. So, he just took a deep breath, "I love you so much more, Ellie. I'm sorry I tried so hard to replace her with you." He whispered and she looked up at him, a smile on her face as she shook her head.

"Remember? I'd never replace her. You always made sure to tell me that I'm my own person. You taught me that, James. And I am. I am my own person. I make my own choices." She said and he puts his hands to her head, smiling before he leaned in, pressing a kiss to the top of her head as she closed her eyes.

"Also... stop drinking coffee, I can hear your heart beating fast." She said quietly, "it's only my second cup." He defends himself, tilting his head to the side and she giggled. "I think it's... something else. I don't know. Fear, maybe." He explained and she nods. "You don't have to be." She whispered and he just took a deep breath, shaking his head softly.

"I don't know what I'd do without you, El. None of us will." He said and she just raised her own hands, pulling his hands away from her face. "You'll be okay. You promised me that... right?" She said and he nods softly. "Yeah." He whispered and she gave a small smile to him. "You gave me the best four years of my life. A brother who cared for me. A father who gave me a home to stay in. You did more for me than anyone in my life ever did." She said and he just nodded, glancing away.

When he returned back to the other room, El was already there and back in her previous spot. He glanced over at her, seeing her sending him a small reassuring smile. He simply looked down, raising his mug to take a sip, only to look up and see her smile had dropped and she had a face of disapproval on now. He just simply smiled back at her, he had wondered why she was so serious the whole time, even when they found them in the Upside Down, or when they were coming back here. El must be fighting another battle, something bigger and different than what they were already dealing with.