𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐲

xviii. the next step.

     

      IT'S BEEN eighteen months since then, since that night they defeated Vecna, since that night they lost El, since the military had packed up all their bullshit and left, now that she was "gone". James Hopper Jr. was now living with his boyfriend at a house on Cherry Lane, one of the smaller houses, which was perfect for them, as it was only the two of them, well, them and a dog. Steve called her Pluto because she was so tiny when they first got her.

But now she was bigger, because she was a Bernese Mountain dog. After a year, she'd grown bigger. "Jamie!" Steve called from the bedroom as James was making Pluto sit, "good girl." He cooed, handing her a piece of bacon. "Yeah, sweetheart?" He called back as the Harrington rushed out their bedroom.

"Where did you put my jacket? Game is in an hour." He's an assistant coach for the baseball team at Hawkins Middle School. Perfect job for him, if James does say so. He had far more patience for kids now that they'd gotten practice babysitting all those years. "Uh, I think I hung it up in the porch closet." He replied so Steve rushed over to the porch.

As for James, he'd been working at the school for some time now, being a substitute teacher, and helping tutor kids who needed extra academic help. It was kind of perfect. "Better eat up before you head out." James said as he brings over the plate of bacon and eggs to the table just as Steve rushed back into the room. "I will!" The Harrington replied and he shook his head. Steve was gonna wear a hat anyway, what did he need his haircare routine for?

But he doesn't complain when his boyfriend finally returns, baseball cap and jacket in hand which he hands on one of the chairs before sitting across from him. He looked handsome as he always did, hair styled so neatly. "Oh, graduation this afternoon, too." James reminded Steve who nods. "Wouldn't miss it for the world." The Harrington replied, smiling widely.

"I can't believe Henderson's all grown up." The Hopper sighed and for a moment, Steve's smile fades as he looks at him. He wondered if James was thinking of El. And honestly, he did, a lot, but he was also trying hard to do what he'd promised to his sister. Not blame himself. James sent the Harrington a small smile, "dig in. Your food's gonna get cold." He says quietly, before the couple eat their breakfast, making small talk about their plans that week.

James loved it, how domestic his life with Steve had become. When the Harrington did finally buy the house, they had a housewarming party, with the people they loved and cared about. James' dad, the Byers family, Nancy, Mike, Max, and Lucas. They even invited Erica. That's when they told the ones who didn't know, comfortably, and feeling safe, that they were a couple, and they had been for a while now. Will was smiling so big and nodding supportively. Jim was the only one unfazed, sipping a beer as the rest were all pretty surprised by the news.

Except the youngest Sinclair, of course, being the smartass she was, she said, "kind of figured with the way you two stare at each other like pieces of pie." Which made the couple laugh, and Lucas scold his younger sister. They had his dad and Joyce over a lot, sort of a double date kind of supper, that James would cook. Sometimes Will joined, sometimes he didn't because he was hanging out with friends.

Dustin was over a lot, just to hang out, play video games with Steve or talk with James sometimes. Sometimes he asked for James' help on an assignment and it made the Hopper felt needed, like when he used to teach Eleven. And on Christmas break, Robin came home from Smith college, Jonathan came home from NYU and Nancy came home from Emerson, and the three would come over to the Hopper-Harrington home just to hang out, have a few beers and catch up on life.

That was the same plan tonight, after the graduation, "thank you so much for breakfast." Steve says, standing behind James who's already rinsing his own plate. "Of course, sweetheart. Good luck at the game." He tells the Harrington, turning his head to look at him and Steve smiled, leaning in to kiss him. "I love you." He whispers. "I love you too." James replied, before his boyfriend left, grabbing the jacket off the chair and his cap, ready to head out.