Jopper's Holiday

Decoration war (with glitter)

December eighth

Highway patrol is never an enjoyable experience, but it's especially unpleasant at this time of year. There haven't been any collisions tonight, but Hopper has spent the better part of his shift radioing tow trucks to pull vehicles out of snowy ditches. The visibility is lousy, the roads are coated in black ice – why can't people just heed the local news warnings and stay home? Callahan's voice comes over the two-way reporting for duty, and Jim couldn't be more relieved to call it a night.

The evening has been a long, lonely one, and returning to an empty house is the last thing Hopper needs right now. It's late and Joyce isn't expecting him, but he decides to try his luck anyway. When he pulls into the Byers' driveway, he is pleased to see the house is illuminated, both inside and out.

Jonathan answers the door. "Hey Hop, you're just in time," he smirks. "Mom and Will are making Christmas decorations." He rolls his eyes and wanders off to his room where he has clearly been sequestering himself rather than participating in the festivities.

The living room feels warm and lively, twinkling with colourful lights along the ceiling, candlelight on the tables, Bing and Bowie crooning on the radio. Hopper is stomping the snow from his boots when Joyce walks in, her smile glowing brighter than anything else in the room. "Well, this is a pleasant surprise – but seriously, Hop, what are you doing out here tonight? Aren't the roads terrible?"

Jim relates some of the mundane details of his shift as he removes his hat, coat, and boots, loving the look of undisguised hunger on Joyce's face as she watches him undress. He's tempted to start unbuttoning the shirt of his uniform just to see her reaction, but before he has the chance, Will walks into the room.

"Hey, sir, are you up for doing a bit of decorating?" His face, hair and clothing give off an unnatural shimmer, causing Hopper's heart to skip a beat. "Chief, is there something wrong?"

Jim clears his throat. Joyce and Will are gazing at him with such genuine concern that a lie would be inappropriate. "This...the glitter," he begins, gesturing at Will's sparkling form. "You reminded me of Sarah just now. Glitter was one of her favourite things." As Hopper explains, he's not even getting choked up, which is surprising. "The first year she was in the hospital, her mom and I brought her a craft kit, and a bag of sparkles burst open all over her bed. The three of us couldn't stop laughing, but I don't think the nurses ever forgave us." He's chuckling, even as he wipes a tear from the corner of his eye.

Joyce sniffles, her lips pressed together in a little, compassionate smile. She takes his hand, gives it a squeeze, and leads him into the kitchen, where every inch of the table is covered in cranberries, popcorn, golden thread and, of course, glitter. "Less eating, more stringing," Joyce scolds, pretending to glare at Will as he tips his head back and deposits a handful of popcorn into his mouth. His eyes widen and he gives her an exaggerated shrug. Hopper isn't much for crafting, but he happily lights a smoke and settles into a chair to watch mother and son create together.

By half past eleven, both boys have retired for the night, and Joyce and Hopper are alone in the candlelit living room smoking and sipping spiked hot chocolate. "Thank you, by the way," Joyce says softly. "For sharing that story about Sarah tonight. I know it probably would have been easier to bullshit us, but you didn't, and that means a lot."

"Pretending not to care is the hardest thing I've ever tried to do. Talking to you and Will about Sarah felt like finally exhaling a breath I've been holding for years." There is a comfortable silence as they finish their cigarettes. Hopper is in such an incredible mood that when "Leather & Lace" starts up on the radio, he asks Joyce to dance. "Come on, I know you love this one," he cajoles, taking her hands and pulling her to her feet.

Joyce rests her cheek against his chest, whisper-singing some of the Stevie Nicks parts, which is both sexy and adorable. Hopper kisses the top of her head, his hand at her waist reaching around to grab her ass. Joyce looks up at him, amused but unsurprised. "Is that your subtle way of suggesting that we dance our way to the bedroom?"

"Maybe."

"You have glitter in your beard."

"Perfect. Then you should be sparkling like a Christmas tree by the time I'm done with you."