1985 (Jim Hopper II)

Fluff and Burgers

We listened to Murray's translations as best we could...

I'm sure you're all wondering how we wound up at Murray's, long story short, after a lot of arguing, a stolen vehicle and some handcuffs, we made our way here.

Alexei has the most gentle face, but was also pretty damn needy. Hopper was out getting him some American food, Burger King, if you could even call it that, and a slurpee. The guy was very insistent on cherry. He also wanted to watch looney tunes. Is this what the American dream is all about? I mean, really... regardless, Hop was out doing what he was supposed to be doing and seeing Murray and Hopper in the same room again was making my stomach turn.

"I think I'm going to go lie down... in my room." I say breathlessly, feeling a little faint.

"You alright?" Murray asks, raising a brow over to me.

I nod,

"Just feeling under the weather."

And as I lay on my bed, I feel so out of place. I felt out of place here, out of place in Hawkins... I mean, not totally, right? Hawkins felt a little better than this dungeon had over the years...

I stared at the string lights placed just beside the ceiling, tracing the walls with their fervent glow, and just before I could shut my eyes, Hopper enters in with a bag of burgers.

"Murray said you're not feeling good? I brought you some food."

I inhale sharply and sit up, giving him some puppy dog eyes for my food.. I may have thought it was the bottom of the barrel but, it did sound kind of good right now.

"Aren't you going to interrogate the russian?" I giggle, grabbing a burger from the bag as he sits beside me.

He says with a mouth full, "I wanted to make sure you were okay."

I smile and rest my head on his shoulder, feeling his lips gently kiss into my hair.

"But yeah, I will be. I'm just... pissed off. Ran around like the guys slave."

"I mean, at least he's cooperating. I understand you're frustrated, though." I mutter, gripping his thigh in one hand, cheeseburger in another.

I take a huge bite and feel his chest move, laughing at me.

"Hungry?"

I grip his thigh even harder.

"For a few things."

I hear Hopper let out a heavy sigh as if regretting what he was about to say. He gently shakes my hand off of him.

"Maybe when we get home, horn dog." He responds, standing up.

I give him a small pout, taking another bite.

"You're adorable, and so incredibly fuck-able, and I love you, but I've got to get back out there. Finish your food, rest up. I'll come in and get you after."

He stands to face me, towering over me like the large man he is, taking my chin between his thumb and index finger... I wanted so badly to unbuckle his belt right then. So caring, so nurturing, so open... it was a different, good, Hopper. I couldn't have been more surprised or more turned on by him.

He chuckles lowly and gives me a lingering peck on the lips.

But for some reason, after he leaves the room, my appetite disappears. I felt exhausted... so naturally, I fell asleep. Despite all the yelling and shouting and down right craziness in the room beside me, I crashed... hard.

Only to have Joyce shaking me violently to wake up.

"The kids! We-we need to find the kids. Wake UP Hannah!"

I shot up immediately, and glanced around the room, Hoppers face melting with the same amount of urgency.

"El? Where's El?" I panicked.

"Get in the car we'll explain later."

I threw my blankets from my body, tossed my sweater back on and noticed Murray and surprisingly, Alexei, waiting in the car as well.

"Is it serious? What's going on?" I say, getting into the passenger seat.

"It has to do with the lab. They're trying to reopen the gate."

"You said El closed it." I mention to Hopper flatly.

"I say a lot of things! And she DID close it!" He yells.

"I.. I love you, I'm not trying to fight. Let's just go make sure the kids and El are safe."

"I... I love you, too. We'll get there shortly, don't worry." He responds, I could tell he wanted to blow up at me but he actually kept his cool.

Which came as a shock to everyone, especially,

"What the hell was that??" Murray asks, pointing between Hopper and I.

I watch Joyce's face scrunch from my view in the rear view mirror.

"It's a long story."

"It's not that long of a story, Joyce. They're obviously dating again I just mean, why's he being so nice? It's disgusting."

"Because I care about her and her feelings." Hopper piped up, to which we all stare at him, I even curled my lip upward in confusion.

"Look I didn't take them into account before and I lost you. Let me be better. Without you all being ASSHOLES about it."

I put my hands up and nod,

"Alright." I laugh, slinking back into my seat.

As sweet as those words were, the only thing on my mind was the kids, El... and oddly enough, right now, Steve. I need Steve to be safe and okay, because this is suddenly tying together in a way I don't want it to.