#jopper coffee

[andallthatmishigas]

THE CONNECTION 

[dwobbitfromtheshire]

Murray looked at Steve and Jonathan laughing with narrowed eyes.

Murray: Those two definitely had sex.

Joyce: Jesus, could you sound more creepy? It's one thing to meddle in our relationship, but it's another thing for you to do it with our kids.

Murray: It's not like I haven't done it before: *watches Nancy wander over to the boys* Oh. . .all three of them?

Joyce starts hitting him.

Joyce: Do - *hit* - not - *hit* - meddle - *hit* - in - *hit* - the - *hit* - kids' - *hit* relationship!

Murray: Jim! Call her off!

Hopper: Why? She's not wrong. You're lucky that she's not set to kill. *sips his coffee* Damn, this is good coffee.

Murray screams.

[pebblesnstones123]

Drabble - Morning Coffee Chats, Nancy and Joyce -  Under 2,000 Words - Stranger Things

    Joyce frowned, taking in the sorry state of her makeup drawer.  It was the second drawer down on her dresser.  There was bits of powder, eyeshadows had broken lids, lipsticks without a cap, and she wasn’t sure how long it’d been since she’d bought new makeup. When Jon and Will were younger she’d had a makeup bag, sure, but there wasn’t time to use it with taking care of them. She’d only dipped into it consistently dating again, for Bob and now Jim. Even though she had a sneaking suspicion he’d still look at her like the sun rose and set with her smile with or without it on.

    The move back to Hawkins made them all lose and forget some things. It’d been for the best at the time, with them staying in an apartment for now.  Their old house had too many haunting memories for them to want to live there again. She  pushed aside the compacts and lipstick, frowning. She grumbled to herself when she couldn’t find any mascara, eyeliner, or the tweezers she used to like for shaping her brows. 

   Then there was a knock at the door. She forced the drawer shut and rushed to get the door.   Hopefully everything was alright. It’d taken awhile to accept each visitor didn’t have to be frantic, or need help because shit hit the fan again. Sometimes people liked to be neighborly, even in Hawkins. 

 “ I’m coming,” she called, hurrying  to open it. She checked through the peephole to be safe and opened it, smiling as she took Nancy in.

    The girl waved with a smile, hefting her purse  higher up on her shoulder. “Thanks, Joyce. It’s always good to see you,” she yawned mid-sentence, looking a bit embarrassed. Joyce gave her a sympathetic smile. Shed been nursing her own cup of coffee as she cleaned her bedroom earlier. She toed off her heels  at the door.

   “How’re you doing? Want me to get you a cup of coffee?” She offered, stepping aside to let her come in.  “Seems like you could use it. “

    Nancy was a familiar visitor, and she  claimed her usual spot on the couch. Her bag was set on the side table.  She was bundled up in her winter coat  and Joyce stopped her from taking it off and putting it on the couch.

  “Now, let me take that this time. You’re a guest, dear - besides, Jim’s been complaining about us all being messy,” she shrugged. He’d gone a bit stir crazy staying home as he recovered, and from  how tired he’d been after physical therapy sessions.  

   There was a dozen or so new projects he’d done to fill the time,  him getting re-acquainted with his toolbox. One example was the standing coat hanger near the entry.  She set Nancy’s  coat on an open hook and went to get her a mug to pour coffee from. “Do you want it black, with sugar, or milk this time? Will hasn’t had time to talk me into one of those sugared up creamers this week.” He’d been on a kick with flavored creamers, after trying some at Steve’s after a sleepover with the party. 

   “You really don’t have to, I can do it myself. Thank you for hanging up my coat, too.  But since you’re up - how about just sugar? Is it already brewed at least?” Nancy asked, turning to face Joyce and getting up from the couch to see if she could help at all.  

    Joyce held up the brewed pot of coffee as her answer with a wink, waving off her thanks..  She poured her  a cup and passed it to her, Nancy gripping the mug tightly for warmth. It was starting to get chilly in Hawkins. “You always make the best coffee, you know, "Nancy said, reaching up and getting some sugar for herself, stirring it in with a spoon. “Anything I can help you do around here?”

   Joyce shrugged, getting down a mug for herself and taking the last dregs of the pot to fill it. She hummed as she thought. “The secret to making it good is brewing it with a pinch of spice. Today’s was cinnamon, a little kick helps everyone wake up. And really - all I’m doing is cleaning up, nothing you’d want to get pulled into.” She let the remark about her still being a guest go unsaid, having being a good hostess being ingrained. 

    Nancy sipped at it again, tilting her head as she took the older woman in. “It’s no problem, I came here to see Jon. But it doesn’t seem like he’s around today, I’ve got no other plans.” She let the offer rest, shifting to hold her mug in one hand and push away a few annoying strands of hair from her face with the other.  

    Jon joked Nancy should move in with how often she came around their place.  It earned him a none so gentle elbow hit to the ribs from Will. The boys were out for the morning, Hopper convincing them to try fishing.  He’d known she’d been stressed with settling in and he’d complained about feeling particularly cooped up this week. 

  “You’re not wrong,” Joyce gestured with her mug towards Nancy as she spoke, for emphasis. “They’re already out fishing at the lake. Hop wanted to go a few towns offer, spice things up.” Nancy met her eyes with an understanding look, everyone having dealt with or heard about how cagey Hopper had gotten while confined to rest at home. “All I’ve got on the docket is cleaning out my room, trying to see how I can make more space. Don’t get clutter like me when you’re old.”

    Nancy snorted and shook her head, standing up a bit straighter.  She hardly would label Joyce as old. She was more energetic than Steve, Jon, and herself most days. “Then lead the way. I’ll finish up my coffee, and we can make a game plan.”   She held up her mug in a faux cheer, following after Joyce to her bedroom down the hall. 

    Cleaning was something the younger girl always liked, using it as a distraction in the aftermath of rough moments. Her Mother had complained to Joyce about how quickly Nancy stopped using items and re-organized things around the house.  Joyce elected not to bring it up, not wanting to touch a sore spot. “Whatever you want, Nancy. Just don’t blame me if you get bored.”

[moonbcrry]

Jim jopper as the readers boyfriend, give us your hopper bf head canons. Sfw and nsfw is fine, this would be soo cute thanks!! X

my first time writing headcanons so this is kinda shitty but i hope you like it <3

cw: fem!reader, age gap, below the cut mentions of; d/s relationship, praise kink, oral sex (fem!receiving), overstimulation, unprotected sex, degradation kink, name-calling(slut), lmk if i missed anything!

he definitely wouldn't make the first move cus this man has struggled a lot and yknow all those "im the curse" moods he's been in.

you'd be bringing coffee to his office in the mornings, excusing the department was on your way, or taking eggos for el cus jim is so busy with keeping the town safe and you want to help them with the least you could do <3

Jim would deny his feelings for you for as long as he could do and try to avoid you but it's not that possible when you keep popping at his door at the unexpected moments.

though when you finally start your relationship, with your endless efforts of course, he's all over you.

always keeping an arm around your waist, on your shoulders or just casually twirling his hand between your hair.

and we can't deny that he'd be a little possessive about you. like even for the smallest things. like you didn't wear your raincoat on a rainy day? congratulations, you won a grumbling, pouty hopper about how you could get sick at this weather while he puts his jacket over your shoulders.

would he be jealous when others stare at you two? yes, but he also would like that a lot. tightening his grip on your waist as you walked, placing a kiss on your shoulder, hiding his smirk behind that.

but if someone bothers you at a bar for example? that person is dead.

his favourite thing to do with you in the evenings is snuggling on his couch and watching some cheap-ass movies you rented.

his other favourite things are under the cut and NSFW, so no minors.

there's not a single time you could see the end of the movie, either you or hopper gets bored of the movie and you end up making out on the couch.

he lifts you by the waist and you're straddling his hips, hands clawing on his shirt covered broad chest as his tongue lap at your mouth. and you're already panting from arousal, hips jerking against his.

he'd chuckle against your mouth, noticing your growing neediness for him and you're hiding your face on his neck.

he flips you over so you're under him, continuing his attacks on your neck as he pampers you with praises.

when you're in his bedroom this man worships you.

he has you laid back in his bed, spreading your legs with his tight grip on the fats of your thighs as he eats you out like a starved man. when he's done with you, you'll probably have beard burn insides of your thighs

but he's a gentleman, he wouldn't fuck you before preparing you properly. you have to be ready to take him and enjoy every second with him.

have i said praise kink? yeah he fucking loves coddling you with praises as his cock buried deep inside you and your face flushing with his every word as if you weren't doing all the nasty shit with him.

though when he's frustrated or angry he'd be very degrading too. like - ughhh

he has your head flushed against the pillows, ass in the air, cock buried deep inside your pussy as you cry in overstimulation (again im saying this man loves overstimulation) and his calloused fingers digs at the flesh of your ass, "like that, huh? you like when treat you like the whore you are - nuh uh uh, don't shake your head darling. i can feel you squeezing me like vice, creaming on my cock. my little slut."

©moonbcrry 2022 !¡ do not copy, translate or repost ¡!

[bigbangharringrove]

They're burning all the witches (even if you aren't one)

Author: @theladycarpathia (Ao3: storybelle) Artist: @cronesfeetpics

Summary: The world is full of witches. But Billy Hargrove never cared until he matched with Steve Harrington on a dating app. The Hargroves don’t actively hunt anymore but Neil won’t take too kindly to his only son dating a male witch. They just need another year and then they’re out, away from this town and Neil’s grasp. But then the bodies start dropping one warm night in September. Rot creeps in, the wells are poisoned and Neil is convinced the witches are at fault. Something evil is at work in Hawkins and it’s a hard call whether it’s the ancient monster trying to break free or the witch hunt that threatens Steve’s life. Rating: E Pairings: Harringrove and background Jopper/implied Buckleway Content Tags: Sexual content, blood, corpse desecration, murder/gore, mob mentality, homophobia, dead animals, dead dove do not eat

Excerpt & Art Preview:

Billy Hargrove was born with a witch-hunter’s mark on his wrist. To Steve, this should have meant nothing. In any other world, he was a boy who swiped right on someone cute and the strange birthmark on Billy’s skin would have stayed just that. When the door to the diner opens, Steve automatically jerks his head up. His date is late and he’s just starting to think that he’s been catfished or stood up and that maybe Tinder was the dumbest idea he’s ever had. No guy is that hot or has eyes that blue in real life. But the guy in the door isn’t his date, just some guy in a baseball cap who waves at the waitress and takes a seat in a booth. Steve slumps back in his chair. He’ll wait ten more minutes, then he’ll go. He’ll grab a burger to take with him, because even disappointment isn’t enough to keep him from wanting one of Benny’s, and then he’ll go home and probably jerk off to the catfish guy’s long lashes and crooked grin. “Alright, Steve?” Betty asks curiously, hovering by his table with her coffee pot. He smiles up at her and shrugs. She fills his mug anyway. “You look like you could use it,” she advises. “Get stood up?” “Yeah,” Steve mutters, and rips open a packet of sugar. “Dating apps.” She makes a pained face. “The worst,” Betty agrees, and the fact that Betty has any knowledge of dating apps both amuses and disturbs him. Betty wears her graying ash blonde hair in a knot low at the base of her neck in a style that was probably popular back when she was a teenager. She has three grandkids and a penknife attached to her car keys. “Cheer up,” she continues, as Steve swirls his spoon in his coffee. “Cute thing like you? I hear you have no shortage of dates.” Steve stares at the churning black liquid. He doesn’t know why this one felt different. His mom would say that it’s part of the magic, how it can lead you to things that feel right. That years of feeling magic in their bones and being wary of who to trust has given them great instincts. Steve thinks it’s all crap and that maybe he was just attached to this guy’s biceps.

[elhopper1sm]

Jopper x GN! Reader

Content warning: Large age gap (early twenties reader),mentions of food , eating, and substance usage. Reader has parental trauma.

Sleeping was always a hassle. Hopper managed to get enough money to get a large enough second bed to hold the three of you comfortably

Joyce was a major insomniac. Trying to get her to sleep at night was awful. She'd wake up in a cold sweat and be terrified. She didn't like disturbing anyone. So she'd usually stay in the bathroom or living room reading or playing crossword puzzles to keep herself occupied and not disturb anyone

Hopper always had a beer before sleeping. You could hear him snore as you slept on his chest drifting asleep slowly as you listened to the sound of your heart beat

Hopper always needed a large breakfast before work. You didn't know how to cook very well so you'd ask Joyce for help and she'd reassure you when you were feeling needy or insecure about not knowing what to do. She only had coffee for breakfast but you constantly told her she needed to eat more.

"I'm fine. I just need the coffee for work" She'd constantly but you'd get worried

Putting your clothes to dry in a separate room so they don't smell like cigarette smoke. It was an insecurity of yours

Hating being yelled at. Absolutely terrified you. Hopper was slightly more insensitive about it. But he got more aware as time went on.

Joyce was more mindful of your fear of having someone older yell at you. She'd hand you a stuffed animal and then let you rock yourself back and forth without thinking it was weird

They drank quite a bit. You spent a considerable amount of money on alcohol. You all tried to be mindful of how much you drank. But it was a serious problem for Joyce and Hopper

Reading with Joyce. It was the best feeling in the world. She was so sweet and she'd stroke your hair as she held you in her arms

Watching TV with Hopper was nice he'd tell the weirdest jokes and complain about everything humanly possible.

Fixing cars with Hopper and doing home repairs. He taught you everything he knows about home repairs and Joyce always made you bring a first aid kit in case you got injured

They both absolutely need to greet you before and after work and get frustrated when you don't.

Learning how to make special protein waffles for El so she can get as many nutrients as she can from her diet of Eggos and milk.

Will absolutely adore you. Mostly because you're not intimidating and demanding. You don't act like you have complete authority over him.

Jonathan takes forever to warms up to you but after a while. Seeing how absolutely smitten with you he warms up to and he being around his age really makes him like you more you understand hes a teenager and he needs spce you don't pressure anything out of him.

Finding out El has superpowers freaks the fuck out of you. But also scares you because what it means for her the constant worry she might be taken advantage of. You keep a shotgun on you at all times that Hopper taught you how to use

Hopper taking you to the shooting range is one hell of an experience. He has you keep a handgun on you at all times

Joyce and you team up with El and Will to convince which basically means beg Hopper to let the family get a cat. You both succeed

Turning down Joyce's puppy dog eyes is basically impossible.

[woadisme]

i love imagining the jopper family dynamic when they get a bit of stability in their lives (after st5). 

jonathan always captures their happy moments, pictures of the wondertwins decorate the mantle

when hop and joyce get engaged: el begs joyce to be her flower girl only for joyce to ask her to be her maid of honor

hop and el still watch miami vice together, but they find a show that all five of them enjoy too

hopper is still a grumpy guy in the morning, and el starts to get that way too. when she’s a bit older she snaps at him trying to get her to do something with, ‘mornings are for coffee and contemplation!’

jonathan teaches will how to cook, will then teaches mike how to cook. nancy witnesses this and asks mike to teach her so that she can surprise jonathan with a nice meal

idk i’ll post more later too probably i just love them

[miss-andromeda]

Andi and Don Headcanons

Inspired by the amazing @kikithedreamerwriter! Thank you for the brilliant idea 🩷

----------

(P.S. Andi's face claim is Maddy Kendzior, in case you were wondering who this is 😊)

Note: Most, if not all, of these do not take place in the established universe of the show, this is purely for fun. Most are goofy and chaotic, but regardless, do reflect on their relationship. 

Both Andi and Don are huge fans of Stranger Things - and they often quote lines to each other for the fun of it, like “I am on a curiosity voyage, and I need my paddles to travel,” “You know that means you suck, right?”, “Mornings are for coffee and contemplation,” and calling each other mouthbreathers to make fun of each other. 

That being said, Andi’s favorite characters are Max (she finds it funny that her voice and Max’s are the same - if you know, you know 😌), Eleven (she audibly cheered when she heard “I dump your ass” in season 3,) Robin, Dustin, and Erica 

Donnie’s are Dustin, Nancy (mostly because she reminds him so much of Andi,) Max, Will, and Joyce (he’s a diehard Jopper shipper)

They have clashing music tastes - and will often debate what music is better. Donnie’s tastes are eclectic, ranging from classical music to hip-hop and hard rock. Andi is more focused; she loves indie and alternative pop and rock. They’ll have literal debates analyzing every detail of what they listen to - like the history of the genres, important figures, and how significant it’s been to the musical landscape. More often than not, though, the other boys and April will side with Andi, purely because Donnie’s tastes are so left-field. 

Their relationship is a mix of two different dynamics; the overly sweet couple that makes you wonder if they’re “goals” or are just annoying, and the sarcastic couple that can/will be mean to those around them - except to each other.

Andi’s personality type is ISTJ-T (Turbulent Logistician), while Donnie’s is ISFJ-T (Turbulent Defender)

It’s canon that they’re both extremely intelligent - and while it’s not often, they would sometimes have competitions and debates to see who is smarter. So far, they’re tied in debates (they’ve both won 3 each,) but Donnie is winning in terms of competitions, as he’s won 7 while Andi’s only won 5.

They often do nerdy things like read together and stargaze, but one of their best memories was raising a group of butterflies together - they were named Cornelius, Meredith and Oliver. And yes, both of them teared up when they were let go into the world.

Both of them are not morning people in the slightest. Unless the two of them have their preferred drinks immediately after going into the kitchen (Donnie his cup of coffee and Andi her tea,) they will scowl at anyone who tries to talk to them or groan at any questions asked of them.

(Because it's me,) Donnie would be a casual Swiftie - not a diehard fan, but likes the singles, and some songs off each album (though he absolutely adores folklore and evermore, and seven, the lakes, peace, ivy and coney island (especially when Andi learns the lyrics and duets with him) are his favorite songs.

To follow up, he's converting Andi into a Swiftie as well - her favorite albums at the moment are Red and Midnights, and her favorite songs from each are State of Grace and Paris (though she relates the most to I Almost Do and You're On Your Own, Kid)

They are fiercely protective of each other - and will likely kill anyone who messes with their partner. Andi’s more frequent in resorting to such measures, but when Donnie’s pushed that far, he’s more dangerous.

They have considered hacking into a national database - and threatened to do so on many occasions.

It’s rare that the two of them get into a fight, but on the off chance that it does happen, it’d be quiet, but intense - lots of glaring (mostly from Andi) and teary eyes. One of three instances will happen, depending on who was at fault.

If Andi was the one who was wrong, it’ll take a while for her to apologize - her stubbornness is cranked up to 11 in a fight. But eventually, she’ll trudge over and apologize, putting her arms around Donnie and explaining why she got so upset. 

If Donnie was at fault, he’ll grovel at her feet - begging for her forgiveness and doing everything he can to tell her that he was wrong for hurting her and that he’ll do anything to make it up to her. 

If both of them were at fault, Andi would request that the two of them just stay away from each other, and as much as it would hurt Donnie, he would reluctantly agree. They’d spend upward of a week away from each other - and then when the distance gets to be too much for them, one of them will text the other and whoever received the message will book it to where the other person is - either Andi’s apartment or the lab in the lair. 

Playing off that desperation of seeing each other, they can be quite clingy with each other. Donnie is more clingy naturally, but when Andi goes through something traumatic (which, spoiler alert, will happen in her story…multiple times,) she will cling to him like she’s gonna lose him if she lets go. 

Overall, while their relationship has a smidge of fairy-tale wonder to it, they have an undying love for each other that’s as real as anything - regardless of what (or who) tries to break it.

----------

Once again, this is just for fun! As always, if you'd like to join my taglist, feel free to message me or send me an ask. Thanks again to @kikithedreamerwriter for the idea - and your permission to do my own list 🩷💜

@tinkabelle19 @m1dnyt3-w0lf @happymoonangel @eveandtheturtles @raphsmuneca @jasminarts01 @thelaundrybitch @android-cap-007

[andallthatmishigas]

Joyce helps El with her homework and they bond.

[scheodingers-muppet]

The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess

Stranger Things Album Time Stranger Things Album Time Stranger Things Album Time

Femininomenon - Nancy. Guy trouble, for one. "Stuck in the suburbs" The duality of what she thinks she wants versus if that would actually make her happy.

Red Wine Supernova - Robin. It's slightly dorky but still smooth. "Fell in love with the thought of you" "I just want you to make a move" I also love the idea of the "roommates" just being Steve.

After Midnight: Either Chrissy or Nancy. They both kinda fit the "good girl" trope but have a lot under the service, Chrissy with going to Eddie for drugs, Nancy and her monster hunting. We also see Nancy "rebelling" in season one before everything starts. "My mother said...it's not attractive wearing that dress and red lipstick" "I've been a good, good girl for a long time" "I like flirting, a lover by my side" They both deserve to just have fun at the club.

Coffee: Jopper, when Joyce is with Bob. "If I didn't love you, it would be fine" "We've done this before" "Every place leads back to you"

Casual: Robin. She would likely settle for someone who hides her, based off the way she's talked about Vickie. "My friend's call me a loser" compared to Steve trying to get her to ask her out. "I love being stupid" "I try to be the chill girl but honestly, I'm not."

Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl: Max, honestly. Or El! Elmax. But like, early 20s Elmax. "Not overdramatic, I know what I want" "I'm through with all these super mega bummer boys" "Telling secrets, there on the mattress" compared to their sleepovers.

HOT TO GO!: I... have no clue. El is the closest, just in terms of the fun, energetic vibes. It feels very teen girl, in the same way she does to me

My Kink Is Karma: I want it to be Joyce so bad. Or Karen. Joyce about her ex, when he first starts to go downhill. Karen just matches the energy to me.

Picture You: Jancy, but college-Jancy. "Am I doing research in a mini skirt at the library in your hometown?" "Counting lipstick stains where you should be" "Am I in the frame for your point of view?"

Kaleidoscope: Byler. "It will all be fine, just go back to being friends" "Even all the change, it's somehow all the same" "Even upside down, it's beautiful somehow" Both as the Upside Down joke, but also how Will still sees being gay as scary and wrong, something away from what he "should" be, like it's upside down. "I will never understand"

Pink Pony Club: This really doesn't fit anyone super well. I do love the idea of it being the older teens finally getting out and just getting to have fun. Maybe Robin finally goes to a gay club!

Naked In Manhattan: Ronance. "The rush of slumber party kissing" "An inch away from more than just friends" Just so Ronance.

California: El and Will. "I was never told that I wasn't gonna get the things I want the most" being peace. "Come get me out of California, no leaves are brown" I think Will would miss the environment. "Thought I'd be cool in California, I'd make you proud" El talking about Hopper. "My dying town"

Guilty Pleasure: Nancy, just for the line "Some good girls do bad things too"

[cricketsatnight]

hi there, i just wanted to let you know that a writer named errantrue posted a story on AO3 called Occupied in the olivia benson/elliot stabler tag that has plagiarized from the mile high chapter of your fic (two days later) the hours in-between and after. she forgot to replace a "Joyce", which led me to search the jopper tag for mile high fics, which is how i found yours.

Hey anon!

First off, thank you SO much for bringing this to my attention. You are a true fanfiction hero. (Seriously like... I want to buy you a coffee. May you be blessed always.) I know these things happen, but I have never had it so BLATANTLY happen to me before.

This fucking sucks. New milestone moment as a fic writer, I guess? (That I know of. Yeesh.)

Here's the fic in question on AO3. I imagine it won't be up for much longer, because I will be commenting there. Here is my fic. (The plagiarized scene is in Chapter 2.)

I saved their fic, also saved it in screen shots... what a headache.

You know, typically, I try not to engage in... well, being pissed off online.

But lol.

Since you're following me, and have been since October 2022, hey @errantrue - what gives? This is so disrespectful. I'm glad you fucked up with plagiarizing my work by leaving Joyce's name. Incredible clown shoes moment for you! (Joyce Byers, stay winning.) Moreover, I'm sincerely glad there are readers on AO3 that care enough to look into these things when something is off. (Anon, stay winning.)

Why would you follow me, assuming because you liked my work, and do something so rude and uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh terrible? Shitty? I'm at a loss for words, think you could help?

I do this as a hobby. I do this for free, when I have the time, because I love writing. I share what I write in fanfiction with a lot of trust: all fanfic writers do. I trust readers to simply, in good faith, enjoy that I want to make the fictional people kiss. Not to rip my efforts off.

Everyone is capable of writing. I implore you to write what you want, but with your own fucking words. Not just bare minimum changes and tweaks. (Especially when you're copying and pasting a different character's name.) I think about how many of us get anxious wondering if we are writing things too alike to someone we admire, or the hellish what ifs about if there was a catchy phrase or descriptor we picked up in a story years ago, etc etc. These things do happen. I would never care much for or about that; creation is... a lot of fine-tuning and stumbling.

Don't do this.

I get sad when I am on a hiatus (like right now) because fanfic-writing is a beloved hobby of mine. Really one of the few creative pursuits I have that capitalism can't suck the joy from. Shit like this makes me more likely to extend a hiatus than come back smiling, though I know that feeling will pass.

I'm posting this and calling you out PRIMARILY because I am pissed off but also because chances are I'm not the only person you've done this to. Barring you don't panic-delete off of the internet, maybe other writers will figure that out when they comb over your fics.

Putting the passage the anon mentioned (and another) behind a KR link because they are NSFW passages from E-rated fics.

(This is my fic.)

(This is "their" fic. Fucking lol, where did Joyce come from???)

(My fic again.)

("Their" fic.)

[celinecooperjones]

Fluffy jopper fic/head cannon where they are lying in bed together after being intimate just talking having pillow talks and hopper is brining up the idea to Joyce of having a baby…

There’s a thin layer of sweat covering both of them, their chests rising and falling rhythmically as they try and catch their breath.

Hopper tugs the comforter over them, tucking it around Joyce’s backside and pressing a kiss to the top of her head, his fingers running through her mussed hair.

“Mmm, good morning.” Hopper chuckles, the sound vibrating low in his chest.

Joyce giggles, burying her head into his shoulder in embarrassment. She had all but jumped his bones the second he had woken up, it was much too tempting now having him in her bed every night and day. “Not a bad way to wake up, huh?”

“Not at all, makes me look forward to waking up early,” he tilts his head to capture her lips and she looks towards the alarm clock on the nightstand. “How much time do we have?”

“About twenty minutes,” She informs him, snuggling into his warmth.

Twenty more minutes of peace and quiet before the kids would be up. Twenty minutes before they’d have to actually be parents and get themselves out of bed to make breakfast.

“Want me to make some coffee? We can drink it in bed.”

She thinks on it for a moment before shaking her head, her arms tightening around him. “As appealing as that sounds, I don’t plan on letting you out of this bed until I have to.”

“Is that right?” His voice is lower now, his lips nibbling along her neck. “And what do you plan to do with me while you’ve got me?”

“What we just got done doing,” She whispers huskily. “Unless you have other ideas. We could watch the news, do a crossword...”

He quiets her rambling teasing with a kiss. “I like your first option,” He opens his mouth for her, letting her tongue slide against his as she presses her body tighter to his.

His hand lazily dips around her, resting on her stomach when he pulls her impossibly closer. His thumb strokes along her soft skin, dipping into the divot of her navel as his thoughts take over.

Joyce seems to notice, his kisses having grown lazy and distant. “Hop? You with me?”

He shakes his head, breaking his daze. “Huh? Yeah, sorry,”

“What are you thinking about?” She wonders, her hand stroking the rough hair on his cheek.

“It’s silly.”

“I like silly,” She comforts. “Tell me.”

His eyes drift down to his hand on her stomach, focusing in on a cluster of freckles as he speaks the thought on his mind, the tips of his ears burning. “I was thinking about what it would be like if we had a baby.” He blurts, and Joyce’s eyes widen in surprise, she wasn’t expecting that. “Told you it was silly.”

“That’s not silly, Hop.” Joyce assures him. “It’s surprising, but it’s not silly. I didn’t think you would want another baby after…” She trails off, the topic of Sarah always a tough one, but he knows nonetheless. “And with El getting older.”

“It’s just a thought, Joyce, nothing I’ve thought about seriously.” He insists. “Let’s just forget it.”

He tries to kiss her again but she squirms away. “I want to talk about it,” Joyce tells him.

“You do?”

She smirks. “Hopper, you just said you’re thinking about having a baby with me. Yes, I want to talk about it.”

“The idea doesn’t completely freak you out?” He’s propped himself up on his elbow now but his hand continues to drift along her skin.

“I won’t lie, it makes me a bit nervous, but recently, with the kids getting older, I have thought about it.” She admits. “Not in depth or anything but there has been a nagging part of my brain that says, what if? Y’know?”

“Yeah, Joy, I know,” He smiles. “Maybe we should talk about it, I mean seriously talk about it. See if we still feel this way in a couple months.”

“You do realize if we were to have a baby together we’d be even more of a hot topic in the town’s gossip.”

“Ah, let’em talk,” Hopper decides, swiftly pulling Joyce back to him and kissing her soundly. “Our baby would be cute as hell.”

“It’d be a very hairy baby,” Joyce teases, fingers trailing over the thick patch of hair on his chest.

“And very short,” Hopper fires back, pressing a kiss to her nose. “I love ya, y’know that?”

Joyce just smiles stupidly at him, arms looping around his neck. “I had a feeling.”

[when-to-sit-in-silence]

Domestic Bliss Jopper HC's or a drabble, pretty please 🙏 Hope you have a great birthday evening xox

Joyce is the earlier riser, but getting out of bed is a challenge when Hopper’s arms trap her like some helpless teddy bear. “Jim,” she mutters, lips pressed to his bicep. “Jim, you gotta let me go.” And he grumbles in protest until she can just wiggle herself free. 

If he’s still in bed by the time she’s finished making the coffee, she’ll lay on top of him, chin on his chest, dark eyes peering into his soft, sleepy expression as he comes into the world. Sometimes, he’ll run his fingers through her hair. Sometimes, Joyce almost falls asleep again. 

She lets him finish her coffee if he lets her finish his cigarette. 

Joyce hums in the shower. Hopper finds it calming. He’ll hum along to make her laugh this sweet, embarrassed laugh. She barely notices she’s doing it.

Months ago, before the move to Cali, she found one of their high school yearbooks underneath his cabin, and remembers it suddenly one morning as the kids rush out of the door. She kept it, and both of them are pathetically late for work after spending almost an hour flipping through the photos and reminiscing. They return to it at least once yearly. 

Hopper’s not much of a cook, but he has the recipe for the best tuna salad Joyce has ever tasted and she asks him to make it several times a week for lunch. Even though he taught her how to do it herself, she always insists, “It’s better when it’s you.” 

He has a habit of trying to kiss her at the most inopportune times, and Joyce lets them get a bit carried away. Once, in the middle of trying to redo their bedroom, Hopper pressed her against a freshly-coated wall and stepped in the paint tray in the process. Joyce was mad, but not too mad, and she let them finish what he started once they fixed their mess and cleaned themselves up. 

She really likes to watch him mow the lawn. 

They clean the whole house together on Saturday afternoons. Hopper will mess with her by nudging her feet with the vacuum while she’s dusting or wiping down the kitchen. Sometimes, she’ll retaliate by softly whacking him with the feather duster. 

They can’t watch TV together without being glued to each other’s side. Even if they start on different ends of the couch, Joyce’s head is laid against his shoulder by the first commercial break as he grazes his fingertips up and down her back. 

Joyce is always the first to turn out the light. Years go by, and a part of Hopper is still amazed that life isn’t a dream. He watches the woman who saved him fall asleep every night, listens to her steady breath, gathers her into his arms and awaits her sleep-heavy murmur in the morning.

[a-strange-inkling]

im sure its been theorized before but hear me out. Im high and this idea is ENTIRELY MY OWN. copyright 2023.

ok so what if this whole thing is a dream or manifested massive delusion driven dnd game for will. its been more or less confirmed that the next season is centered on will’s character and it makes sense that the show will start and end with him. Firstly it seems unsatisfying narratively if Will would have anything less than a villain/hero arc. Secondly he is shown driving the story at the start of every season by entering a fantasy scape. And, given that his primary insecurity is being left, it makes sense that every season resulted in reunions and drawing all the story lines together?

like a master dnd dm would? Will/Mind Flayer has been building quests and storylines this entire time?

do you see what im getting at? master of puppets is will!! (or will by proxy, not sure yet but still)

anyway, do you know any more about the will theory? would love to hear your predictions about s4!

Okay…

Mom?

Is that you? What are you doing on Tumblr?? Please don’t read my ao3 😭

No, I kid!

My mom and I spend many of our morning coffee chats theorizing Season Five and she’s convinced it’s all a dnd campaign on Will’s end too!!! And she’s brought up all of these points and more, which is pretty cool, as she doesn’t even have any online presence (or does she?? 👀). But when I explained the lyrics to Master of Puppets and the Mind Flayer, she said what if the master isn’t Vecna?

What if it’s Will, what if it’s all Will?

She’s also pointed out that Will hasn’t had that much agency in the series. Always a victim, or an observer, a watcher. In Season Five will he finally become a player/hero? Or a villain? Is this what it’s all been leading up to?

She even thinks that they’ve pulled a HIMYM and have already filmed the ending back when they actors were kids. It will end on all them playing in Mike’s basement.

This is such a wild theory and I’m always trying to disprove it lol because I don’t think the Duffers have the foresight or the planning skills for that (bless their hearts) and I’m just like what is Will on if he conjured all this up on his own? Won’t this take away from the story as a whole to make it all just a campaign? What about El? What about all the character growth of characters like Hopper and Steve?

But she’s so convinced that she’s slowly convincing me too 😂

This ask made my whole day!! She’s going to be so validated when I tell her this lmao

Oh, Season Five… Season Five

I don’t have a lot of theories or even desires myself… Not to be a stick in the mud, but I have to be honest, I haven’t really been invested in the plot of Stranger Things like I used to after watching Season Three. In comparison to where we started, I think the writing and the characters in general has progressively weakened over the seasons (there’s been exceptions, of course!)

If not for Joe, Gwen, Mason and Jamie (all the new comers) putting THEIR FUCKING ALL into their SIDE ROLES/VILLAIN ROLE I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed Season Four much at all. I’ve made the joke about myself that Stranger Things has become Eddie and Chrissy with some other people around for me lmao and sadly it’s not too far from the truth. And then they killed them off! 😭 The fresh faces and incredible chemistry they desperately needed! They really shot themselves in the foot. We were so robbed!

As for the main cast (still incredibly talented and wonderful, don’t get me wrong) they just sort of feel tired in their roles despite their best efforts, a lot of that chemistry in the beginning sort of fizzing out with all the same issues reoccurring when they should have been resolved by now. I do have to give props to Sadie and Caleb this season, out of the main cast they really shined. But, lot’s of the things I cared about I just don’t anymore. Like the Steve/Nancy/Jonathan storyline. Used to be invested. Don’t care at all. Even Jopper finally getting together really didn’t impact me. And they were my first otp in this show!! I’ve been waiting!

So, while I still love discussing it and hearing theories, I don’t expect much other than a pretty straight forward happy ending maybe with a few character deaths (Steve… Jonathan… be safe out there boys). Ooo wait a Jonathan death would really trigger a Will villain arc and maybe be the gravity this show needs.

I do see Will on the precipice of a hero/villain journey, dark side light side stuff, ultimately choosing hero and maybe saving El for a change.

I’m going to tell my mom about the Jonathan death theory this morning when we get coffee though!

I’m also in the minority here, but I don’t want Eddie back (unless Chrissy gets to too 😤. Let him rest. I think anything outside of a flashback or a Vecna vision would be bad for the narrative as a whole. Could also ruin his character if they aren’t careful. But I would fucking love a flashback of Eddie and Chrissy at Hawkins High or something like that. Oh yes please!!

Overall, I think the main cast really need to have the focus put on them to wrap this up neatly. (However, Kas!Eddie rising from out of the Upside Down as an undead vampire/zombie to a raging metal soundtrack would be so sick… bad writing… but very, very sick lol)

Okay, wait though… speaking of screw it all, let’s go insane writing, may I tell you the stupid thing what I want so badly?? I want a Ted Wheeler redemption arc. I’m dead serious! I want him to save the day like a badass for NO REASON or build up. I want everyone to be in the heat of battle and the world going to hell in a hand basket and I want Dustin (it has to be Dustin) to be surrounded by Demogorgons or whatever, about to die and then, out of nowhere, Ted revs in with his fucking station wagon and runs them all over, skidding to a stop (Holly is in the back seat in her booster). Dustin dazed and confused stares up at him with his mouth agape as Mr. Wheeler opens the passenger door and just says ‘Get in.’

Sorry, this came out long winded and all over the place lmao! I’m so sleep deprived presently!

I’m still going to watch Season Five, because I have to see where they end it after all these years!! Just not on the edge of my seat about it.

But, who knows maybe Season Five will grab us all by throat and surprise us (in a good way)!

[dontfeeltoohot]

Autumn Snz Prompt Day 1 - Sniffles Over Coffee - Joyce - Canon Divergent - Jopper

Warning: SOFT (lol)

Winter seems to be unforgiving in Hawkins. Between frigid temperatures, snow and the wind, it keeps the town chilled no matter inside or out. Joyce makes her way down to the kitchen, socks, sweatpants and thermal on, still shivering despite the heat being run through the small but cozy house. She, the boys and El have moved back to Hawkins, they couldn’t stay away, not really. It had been only a matter of time. It didn’t hurt that the man she thought to be dead, her love, stayed to help with the disaster relief over 6 months ago. 

So she’s here, back in Hawkins, grumbling as she rubs her hands together, trying to get some warmth in the tips of her fingers. She sniffles softly while going through her usual routine of getting her instant coffee out, working on making a mug. Moments later, Hopper walks through the front door, dusting off snow that’s accumulated on him while shoveling off the driveway. 

“One of the boys could have done that,” Joyce reminds him, rubbing at her nose as she starts to prepare another mug for the man she knows is colder than she is. 

“Eh, first day of winter break. Let ‘em sleep.” 

Joyce smiles at the softness that Hop sometimes displays. Three years ago, if they had been together, she has no doubt he would have gotten all three of them up gruffly, explaining in his no nonsense, police chief voice what needed to be done. Now he’s doing it himself and letting them sleep in. It makes her warm, but not warm enough to shake the chill that’s saturated into her bones. 

“I’m making coffee for us,” she calls as the man hangs up his coat in the closet. 

Hopper comes back around a second later, holding her tight and kissing the top of her head. The smaller woman sniffles again, keeping herself close. Though his body is still cold from being outside, it’s nice and comforting, as she rubs at her nose with the sleeve cuff of her shirt. 

“You okay?” 

“Hm? Oh, yeah, still waking up,” she assures, patting his arm before reluctantly breaking them apart so she can get the milk and sugar for their coffee. 

Moving things so they’re able to sit comfortably, the reinstated police chief sits next to Joyce when she gets to the table, taking her hand as they both start to fuel up for the day. It’s quiet without Jonathan making eggs, without Will and El talking about what they’ll be doing for the day, but it’s nice. The steam from her mug makes Joyce’s nose run more, and she wrinkles it as she sniffles a couple of times. 

“You’re sure you’re alright?” Hopper asks. 

Looking at him, the brunette nods, though she doesn’t take her sleeve away, her mug now sitting back on the table. Rubbing at her nose, she sniffles thickly and then leans into him. 

“You’re pretty sniffly today, what’s that about?” 

“It’s cold, I’m cold, cold air makes your nose run,” she rolls her eyes fondly, giving him one of her signature ‘duh’ looks. 

“Don’t think I’ve ever witnessed it, is all,” Hopper smiles warmly, putting his larger hand over her own. 

As they continue to sip at their coffees, Joyce can feel an itch in her sinuses start to grow, winding its way towards her nose. She rubs at it though she can already tell it’s a losing battle, and another sniffle tips the feeling over the edge. Moving her arm, she overs it against her nose and mouth. 

“hehTSHhhew!” 

“Bless you,” Hopper’s eyebrows raise and he lays a hand on her back, rubbing gently. 

“hehiiTSHhhew!” 

“Bless you honey.” 

“hh! hXKshhhew!” 

“Joyce,” he frowns and gets up, grabbing a couple of tissues for her, pressing them into her hand. 

Gently, the woman wipes at her nose then blows, clearing her throat after. Her nose is stuffy now, not just runny, and something about the way the sneezes came out is making her throat sore. 

“Sorry, I don’t know where those came from,” she waves them off, still holding the crumpled tissues in her hand. 

“Could be you’re getting sick,” he suggests, to be careful as though he’s trying not to wake a bear.

“Don’t be ridiculous, I’m fine Hop,” she lets out a small laugh and finishes her coffee. “I need to get down to the store.” 

Hopper watches her for a moment, then nods. 

“Alright. But if you need anything, call the station ok? I can bring you lunch if you want.” 

“…that’d be nice.” 

XXX 

He almost forgets. In between helping Mrs. Morris with a stolen birdhouse and talking with Callahan about a possible cigar session, it hits him, and after he sees the time, he cuts the conversation short. He speeds down to Benny’s and gets some chicken soup, fries, and a large coke for Joyce, a burger for himself, and then heads to Melvalds. 

Walking in, the store is thankfully empty, and he spots Joyce repricing items. As he makes his way over, he can hear her sniffles, and his chest aches when she coughs into her shoulder. He’s well aware that Joyce Byers is stubborn, it’s something he loves about her. But he’s also realizing it’s going to be a bitch to make her slow down. 

“Hey, lunch is here,” he says, keeping his voice on the quieter side. 

“Oh! Hey,” she turns and smiles. 

Her nose is pink, and she looks tired. Ever so slight dark circles are starting to appear under her eyes, and Hopper doesn’t think he’s wanted to take care of her more than he does now. Laying a hand on her shoulder, he steers her to the counter near the back, knowing she still has to take care of customers if they come in. 

“I got soup for you, but also fries since I’m sure you’re hungry,” Hopper explains, handing her the to go cup full of coke. 

“Surprisingly not, but soup does sound pretty good,” Joyce admits, rubbing her face. 

“So uh,” he starts, stealing a fry. “Tonight, how ‘bout we stay in, watch a movie, just relax. I think the kids said something about going to the Harrington’s place for a movie thing anyway. We’ll have the house to ourselves.” 

“That actually sounds pretty nice,” the brunette admits, leaning her cheek on the man’s shoulder. 

Subtly, as he brushes hair away from his girlfriends face, Hopper lets his palm slide across her forehead. He feels warmth, maybe just a bit unnatural. At least it’s not hot. 

“Alright it’s a date.” 

“It’s a date.”

[tbuddahh]

Conferences

A jopper a/u where Hopper meets Joyce at parent teacher conferences. She is El's teacher and he needs some advice.

Read on here or the link below: 

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14147381/1/Conferences

Jim Hopper isn’t sure when his life became quite so habitual, but somewhere between losing his wife, and adopting his niece, he turned into an ordinary suburban dad.  The thrill and excitement of police work in the city lost its luster when Diane got sick, when he realized she was what mattered, not the next promotion.  After that, after losing her, grieving her, he brought El to Hawkins, took his position as chief of police where nothing ever happens, and settled into raising the girl just how he knew Diane would have wanted.

Now, however, he has a burgeoning teenager, and he can’t be sure what Diane would do, or what he should do when she spends hours with Mike Wheeler, hours kissing Mike Wheeler.  Sure, he’s heard good things about the kid, knows that he isn’t one of the kids he’s always bringing into the station for fights or petty crimes, but the boy shows no respect for authority, no respect for him, and it pisses him the hell off.

Jim sighs, bringing his disposable cup of coffee to his lips, and he doesn’t fight the slight burn of the too hot liquid because at least the discomfort pulls his mind from his current thoughts, thoughts about strangling Mike Wheeler.  He sets down the cup inside his blazer before opening the door and donning his hat.  He’s come straight from the station for El’s parent teacher conferences, and he is tired, cranky, and already knows El is doing fine, more than fine.  She is an impeccable student.  She’s smart when it comes to school, now if he could only get her to be smarter about boys.

He walks up to the front of Hawkin’s middle school, pushes through the doors and nods towards Becky in the office, silently reminding himself he was supposed to call her.  She’d passed him her number the last time he was here checking on truants.  Still, he can’t bring himself to think of a relationship, not when he’s dealing with El, or maybe that’s an excuse because he hasn’t met anyone that compares to Diane.  Then again, it’s probably unfair to compare every woman to his dead wife.

Once he reaches El’s homeroom, he brings his knuckles to the door, tapping gently three times before the door creaks open beneath the force of his knock.  She’s sitting at her desk, Ms. Byers, and he sees her glance up, brown eyes finding him before she’s moving to stand and greet him.  

He’s heard a lot about Joyce Byers.  Hawkins is a small town, and the woman has lived here all her life so naturally there has been gossip that found its way to his ears.  Stories about her crazy aunt, or her abusive ex, her two boys, and how their whole family is just a bit odd, but he’s tried not to let any of the rumors influence his opinion of his daughter’s favorite teacher.  Since the very first day of class El came home raving about Ms. Byers.  His daughter loves her.  He has only seen her a handful of times, once or twice they passed one another in the grocery store, but for the most part she seems to spend her days at the school and her nights at home.  He’s the same of course, only leaving home or the station to respond to necessary work calls.

“Hello,” Joyce says, her words pulling him from his thoughts, “you must be Mr. Hopper?  El’s dad?”  

She smiles as she closes the distance between them, her hand lifting to meet his.  She’s small, smaller than he’d realized when he’s seen her before, and the rumor about her ex flits through his mind, an image of some faceless man bringing his fist to this tiny woman, but Jim had heard she was a fighter herself, never leaving her ex husband without a scratch of his own to tend to.  

She’s wearing clothing a bit more casual than he’s used to from teachers, pairing slacks with a t-shirt, and he suddenly feels over dressed in her presence, his chief’s uniform feeling more formal than required for this meeting.  He removes his hat with one hand, bringing his other to hers and giving a slight shake.

“That’s me.” He says, a smile pulling at his lips. “You can call me Jim, or Hop, my friends use both.”  

Her smile widens in response, “please call me Joyce,” and then she’s gesturing for him to sit in an uncomfortable looking chair set in front of her desk, while she makes her way back to her chair opposite him.

They go through the motions. She tells him El is brilliant.  He already knows.  She tells him she’s been a great student.  He already knows.  And then…

“I need to discuss something important with you,” Joyce closes the folder in front of her, charts and statistics about El’s education closed away.  “The other day,” she pauses, looking at him intensely, and he can’t help but notice the way she bites her lower lip, the action making him wonder briefly what her lips would taste like before he shakes that away, mentally chiding himself.  This is his daughter’s teacher.  Joyce continues with, “El asked me about sex.”

He’s frozen, eyes staring into hers, blinking, but he can’t formulate words, can’t seem to make his brain work.

“Jim?” Joyce questions, dark eyes twisting in concern.

He shakes his head, clearing his throat, “Um, I’m sorry,” he smiles, realizing he must have misheard, “I thought you said,”

She interrupts, “sex?  That is what I said.” Joyce leans back in her chair, sitting a bit straighter, and he thinks he can see a flush creep up her neck.

He laughs, a slight little chuckle because he can hardly believe that he’s sitting here about to have this conversation with El’s teacher.  “I,” he pauses, mind spinning, his brain still half dwelling on the flush of Joyce’s skin, “I know she’s been hanging around with that Mike Wheeler kid a lot.”  He says Mike’s name with a hint of venom to his voice, “but they aren’t. I mean,” he studders,” I always have her door cracked, and they are kissing,” he rolls his eyes to the ceiling, “so much damn kissing, but sex?  They aren’t,” he pauses again and Joyce rescues him with her next words.

“She isn’t having sex.” He breathes out a deep sigh of relief, his hand swiping up to push through his hair.  He can feel a sheen of sweat building on his forehead. If Joyce says sex one more time he’s not sure how he’ll react.

“She is just curious, has questions.” the woman across from him continues, “she mentioned it is just you and her.” The look of empathy in Joyce’s brown eyes strikes him in that moment, cuts deep, and he realizes she also knows how lonely it can be raising kids on your own.  “I think you need to have a conversation with her. You know, a heart to heart.”

“A,” he pauses, bites his lower lip, “heart to heart?”

Her brows lift, “yes, you know, you talk with them, open and honestly, set boundaries.”

“Set boundaries..”  He likes the sounds of that, but he honestly can’t say that he’s ever had a ‘heart to heart’ in his life, or that he even could if he wanted to.  “Ummmmm, maybe you could do that,” he nods hopefully, ignoring Joyce’s arching eyebrow, continuing with, “ya know, as her teacher.”

She leans forward slowly, elbows resting on her desk, “No.”

“No?” He questions, all hope draining from his features.

“No,” she chuckles, “you’re her dad.  It wouldn’t work coming from me.” She lifts her hand, index finger pointing towards his chest, “You need to do it.”

“Maybe you could just move Mike into a different homeroom?” He suggests, the idea seemingly plausible to him, “If she doesn’t see him as much at school that might help the situation.”

She scoffs, doesn’t hide her laugh, and even though it’s a sound of exasperation, he like it, thinks he could get used to hearing that sound, “you want me to switch their homeroom schedules, gym schedules, lunch schedules, all in the hopes that seeing each other less at school will somehow make them want to spend less time together outside of school?” Her eyes narrow waiting for his response.

He feels like an idiot, because of course she’s right, and hearing it come out of her mouth makes him realize how stupid of a plan it was, “Well, when you put it that way.” He sighs, hand coming up to pinch the bridge of his nose.  He’s pretty sure having a teenager comes with a constant headache.

Joyce sighs, head tilting, her annoyance melting away, replaced with sympathy,  “look, I get it.  I have two boys myself.  It isn’t easy.”  She pauses, stands and lifts her pen and notebook, circling her desk before sitting at the edge just to the side of him. “I can’t talk to them for you, but maybe I can help.” Her lips curve into a gentle smile, and his stomach twists.

“Help?” He questions, not sure what she has in mind, not sure anything could help him get through the next few years of raising El.

She leans forward just a bit, the action wafting a warm vanilla scent to his nose and he wonders if it's her perfume or lotion before she says, “Yeah, give you some tips.”  She sets her notebook down in front of him, handing him the pen.  He notices the way their fingers briefly touch, the contact warm and soft, and he keeps his hand there, lingering, until she pulls her’s away, releasing the pen.

He wonders if she feels it too, the attraction he’s noticing, or maybe it’s just been too long for him that he’s feeling like a teenager again himself.  

Joyce smiles again, her hands resting on either side of her as she stays perched at the edge of her desk, “Let’s start with the basics.”

He grins, bringing the pen to paper, and thinks how his daughter is right.  Ms. Byers is an amazing teacher.