Work Text:
I've been thinking lately about the potential of Hopper/Joyce/Scott Clarke as a V or maybe even an eventual ot3, though either would have to have Hop manage his insecurity about not knowing about science (or geeky stuff the kids are into). I don't know if Scott would be too like Bob for Joyce, but I think she'd get a kick out of learning some things from him and him encouraging her to try new things (like dreaming a bit higher on jobs).
It would be interesting if Joyce was the one who doesn't poke Hop about all the things they avoid in each of there's history, but have Scott gently managing to open Hop up somehow. His hope and optimism and sense of wonder bringing something Joyce and Hopper both need.
Also thinking about Scott who lived alone (I know he had a girlfriend/date in one season but no indication he's married or living with anyone I don't think?) being fairly domestic from doing everything himself for years and Joyce finally having someone to help her with house stuff. Although she might have to get used to how he does things, not used to having help like that except from her boys. Her not quite knowing how to respond to having someone caring enough to after Lonnie's general apathy and laziness. She's relieved but confused too.
I figure Hop helps with DIY ever since S1, especially because their poor house always takes a beating when shit goes down, but he's not much for cooking. Scott helping with electrics, though maybe she worries he takes on things that are ambitious to fix and might hurt himself. Scott's always so happy to help. Though for balance maybe there's one thing that irrationally annoys him house wise, that he tries to gently point out, rather than point blan, but it's lost in all the day to day noise. And all the Byers do that one thing as a habit, so Hop does too as he thinks it's fine based on everyone else, and at some point Scott kinda breaks and is uncharacteristically huffy about it for a bit until they get the issue discussed and settled and try to do better in future. Something like stacking dishes dangerously high in the sink, so he has to spend so much time taking it out to start washing up. Nothing big, just a repeating annoyance which no one has any idea how much it bugs him because he's too polite about it. And everyone kind of takes his easy going good nature for granted until that breaking point.
I can just imagine Joyce and Hop having some kind of sheer panic at not knowing what to buy Scott as a gift and having to quiz the kids for help. Maybe made all the more heightened by Scott being amazing at gift picking, mostly because he listens well and has a good memory. Scott becomes an actual dad for Will instead of just a favorite teacher, so he and Jonathan get a wonderful soft dad that isn't remotely like the toxic masculinity Lonnie came with.
Imagine Hop deciding if Scott is serious about sticking round he'll take it upon himself to teach him to shoot and to defend himself. He'll say it's to be able to protect the kids when Hop, and possibly Joyce too since it happens, isn't about. But also teaching Scott how to be safe is how Hop shows he cares. And maybe Scott loves Hop teaching him something since it's how he shows people he cares too. Also bonus of maybe Scott actually knows a martial art pretty well but chooses not to bring that up until after all of Hop's imparting of his knowledge, so they end up with a good excuse to get close to each other. Teaching him self-defense is part of Hopper's love language and sharing knowledge is one of Scott's.
Random aside about Hopper...
~
I feel like Hopper's love language is keeping people safe/making them feel safe. Protecting them, including sometimes from themselves, like with El needing to stay in the cabin. Teaching them how, getting them weapons or lessons, or even just the house repairs to physically make it better and so it feels safer again in their home. Also the looking out for people, checking up on stuff and going to Will's appointments too. And excuse me while I bring some angst... I could see the drive to keep people safe coming from, or maybe just intensifying since, when he couldn't keep his daughter safe from her illness and S4 spoiler trying to keep people alive in the military and then seeing so many of them die both during and then after with the chemical problems. Also I feel like this fits with why S3 Hop was so mad at El,and Mike too. From his pov he's just trying to look out for her by being a good parent, the whole protecting her from herself thing since she thinks the door gap is pointless. But her and Mike laughing at his attempt to look out for her just poked the wrong spot emotionally and then he puts the protective Hop into overdrive in response.
~
Anyhow, back to shippy stuff. They have movie nights with Scott, where he imparts all his behind the scenes movie trivia he loves to share. Hopper says he just wants to watch, no commentary, but Will loves hearing about it and Jonathan seems interested too. Joyce just wants everyone to get along and enjoy the time together. They rotate picks but between 5 of them it's so rarely something she prefers, but they stick to their guns and watch whatever the person of the week picks. Joyce loves movie nights in the winter extra because her small frame is nicely warmed up snuggled between her two guys.
Scott also helps Will with costumes on Halloween, figuring out how to do sfx makeup Joyce is a touch worried might be too scary, and Scott isn't afraid to get in there with costuming either, working with Joyce to figure out technically difficult changes. Will grins so hard at the costumes they come up with between the three of them. Hopper acts a bit put out at not being involved but makes sure he's on patrol for the streets that night since Will and the other kids would never tolerate him going with them directly.
At some point Scott offers to take the boys to a taster session of his martial art and Hop wants to come too, to not be outdone, but he doesn't get the physics of it with how they do throws and someone scrawny pwns him unexpectedly. Hop is grumbly for days before Scott offers to return that old favor and teach him his own style.
Eventually they need to explain the Upside Down to Scott. Joyce worries he's mad they didn't tell him before but he's just awed and wished he knew sooner. He's thinks back over everything peculiar they asked him about and they get to explain to him how many times he's saved the day even though he didn't know about it all.