Chapter Text
Joyce’s eyes shut tight as she managed to turn the keys to close the gate. Hopper stood out of the safe point, looking to her as the machine roared behind him. The keys turned, and there was a bright flash as the machine was destroyed, and the gate to the Upside Down closed. Slowly, Joyce’s eyes opened, and she looked out the balcony. Her heart broke as she saw no sign of Hopper. Covering her mouth, her eyes welled with tears. She’d killed Jim. She didn’t mean to, she just had to close the gate. But she couldn’t forgive herself. El was at Starcourt expecting her father to come home, and he wasn’t going to. Joyce felt physically sick. How was she supposed to tell her that her dad wasn’t going to be taking care of her anymore? A few tears fell down her face as she thought.
“So… are we still on for Enzo’s?” A voice asked from behind her. Joyce slowly turned to look at the man who stood behind her. A little beat up, but in good shape, was Hopper. Joyce felt relief wash over her, as practically lunged forward and wrapped her arms around Hopper, closing her eyes tightly to fight back anymore tears.
“Hop… God, Jim, I thought you were gone.” Joyce muttered into his shoulder, gripping onto the back of the uniform Hopper had stolen from one of the Russian’s who stood guard. “I was so scared. I thought about El, and-and how--”
Hopper kissed the top of her head, and rubbed her back gently. “I’m okay.”
“I know.” Joyce let out a shaky breath, trying to find comfort in his arms. It wasn’t difficult.
Murray had walked into the room. “Hey, lovebirds. Don’t think you’re going to want to be here any longer. Unless you’re going to get it on, on the floor of the Russian base, then be my guest.”
Joyce moved back from Hopper, and looked over to Murray. He hand found its way to Hopper’s, and she took it, holding it tightly within her own. “Let’s go.”
Finding their way out of the base was harder than getting in. Racing down hallways, and down staircases, until they found themselves in the elevator once again. And finally, after a bit more travelling, they found themselves outside of the Starcourt Mall, where mass amounts of emergency service workers, and vehicles had piled in the parking lot. The three emerged, Joyce still holding tightly onto Hopper’s hand, and Murray walking calmly behind them.
Will sat in the back of an ambulance. He looked up, and smiled as he saw his mother. Joyce looked up to Hopper and smiled to him, before letting go of his hand to rush over to her son, wrapping her arms around him protectively. El wasn’t far behind in the parental greeting. Seeing Hopper, she felt herself relax, and ran over to him, wrapping her arms tightly around him.
“You did it.”
“Joyce did it.”
“I was scared.” El admitted. “I thought you were hurt.”
“I’m okay, kiddo.” Hopper looked up a small bit to Joyce, and smiled to himself. “We’re all okay now. Nothing bad’s going to happen.”
Joyce moved back from Will, putting her hands on his shoulders. “You’re sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine, mom. I don’t feel anything bad. He’s gone.” Will reassured. He looked back to Hopper, who was still looking to Joyce. He looked away when he realized Will was looking at him. “You and Hopper were holding hands before. Are you..?”
“Are we what?” Joyce asked.
“Together?” Will whispered.
Joyce glanced back to Hopper, then to Will. “No. Well… we’re going on a date.”
“That’s good.” Will said, which only somewhat shocked Joyce. “I like him. He cares about you.”
“You don’t mind, right? I mean, Bob…” Joyce shook her head. “Just… you don’t mind this, really, right? If you have a problem with it, I won’t go--”
“Mom. You’re going on that date no matter what.”
“Okay.” Joyce smiled. She wrapped her arms around Will once again. “I love you. I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“You too, mom.” Will couldn’t help but smile. Maybe things would be okay.