Chapter Text
September 8, 1979
Seven(o) peeked out to the dark hallway as his door opened. Seeing no one, Seven stepped out, taking in the dark hall, a constantly white hall with bright lights. Seven ran down the halls until he slipped down, making him look down to see blood. That scared him enough to run to the lab entrance before looking back as the lights flickered on and off, just as he ran towards the fence line with a small opening that he could fit through.
As Seven ran he didn’t notice that was heading towards the road where Chief Jim Hopper(a) was heading home from the police station. While driving Hopper was changing the radio channel just barely missing the boy coming out of the woods. “Shit!” Hopper yelled, slamming the brakes just as the boy collapsed. “Hey, stay with me kid, what’s your name?” Hopper asked, holding the thin boy in his arms. “Seven.” Seven said, not knowing what was happening but his puppy omega pheromones where screaming. “It’s okay, Steven. I got you, don’t worry,” Hopper said, trying to use his radio as Seven closed his eyes.
November 7, 1983
Steve shot up as he remembered the night he escaped from the Labs and also met Hopper for the first time. From that night on words, Hopper has been taking care of him being his foster son. Steve reminded waking up with Hopper there at his house since it was the closest thing when it started to down poor making it hard for Hopper to get to the hospital safely. There Hopper gave Steve what essentially would be Steve’s favorite food in the whole world peanut butter.
The story about how Steve came into Jim Hopper’s custody was when there was a cult discovered an hour a way from Hawkins by the FBI so Hopper thought maybe Steve escaped from there before the mass suicide. It also explained the lake of records and last name for Steve.
Along with child services having no one available until Thursday and the closest foster homes being full so Hopper took Steve in and he never looked back. Steve never corrected Hopper about the cult theory, even when the FBI came to talk to him about that, only to come back with nothing as it was declared by a doctor that Steve has trauma-induced amnesia.
Steve remembers never once letting Hopper go, even sitting on his lap when the doctor examined him. “It’s okay, Steve; no one’s going to hurt you,” Hopper said in a calm voice Steve as he rubbed his arm up and down to comfort the boy. “P-promise?” Steve said as his nosebleed Hopper nodded wiping away the blood. “Promise.” Hopper said smiling down at him. That was the only time Steve ever used his mind control on Hopper was his promise to protect him.
Steve finally calmed down before turning to the clock showing he has plenty of time before school. Getting up Steve opened the hatch looking down to see Hopper had fallen asleep while watching TV last night. Smiling Steve looked to the bathroom where he turned on the water just the right temperature making sure Hopper was still asleep. Back in the loft part of the cabin, Steve grabbed a pastel blue sweater with jeans before heading to the bathroom.
As the door shut Hopper sat up looking around the cabin to see he fell asleep watching TV. Hopper turned to see the loft was open so Steve was awake, Meaning he was going to make breakfast for the both of them unless he wants the whole jar of peanut butter gone. Hopper should have given him broccoli when Steve first woke up instead of peanut butter. That would have been better. So here he is, making eggs, bacon, and toast with peanut butter spread on.
Hearing the bathroom door opening and closing Hopper looked up to see Steve in a baggy pale blue sweater, jeans and the usual leather wrist cuff on his left arm. “Morning Steve,” Hopper said ruffling his hair laughing as Steve swats his hand away before grabbing the toast. “Eggs and bacon first Steve. You also better saved me some hot water!” Hopper said as Steve laughed making Hopper smile.
Three years ago Hopper and Steve lived at the lakeside trailers before moving to his grandfather’s cabin. He does clean up some habits after adopting Steve there something both of them haven’t told much to each other which works for them, that works for them though they can work into getting there some day.
Once done with his shower and picking his uniform up Hopper looked over to see Steve trying to go over his word of the day. “Which word is today’s word?” Hopped asked looking over Steve shoulder. “En-am-or?” Steve said looking up at Hopper. “Enamor it another word for love.” Hopper said looking down at Steve. “Love?” Steve asked looking confused at that as well.
Hopper some times forget that Steve doesn’t quite know basic words as well it something both of them are working on what Steve knows and doesn’t knows, he's language skills aren’t the best but he knows enough to attend the public high school as long as Hopper still works with him at home. “Love is a deep affection you feel towards someone.” Hopper explain. “How does one know what Love is and what love isn’t?” Steve asked looking at Hopper with wonder. “Well, you know how you like those gushy feely movies like Cinderella or that drama what is it is called Romeo and Juliet.” Hopper smiled as Steve playfully pushed him. “Okay, I’ll stop, but it’s like that when Prince Charming first saw Cinderella, he fell in love at first sight,” Hopper said as they continued their conversation to the cars.
Hopper explains that love can also come in many forms, like soulmate love, platonic love and familial love. “Is there parental love?” Steve asked, looking over at Hopper. “Ah, well, it looks like we’re here,” Hopper said, getting to his car as Steve gave him a puppy dog face. “I do care about you, Pup, you are my kid, and nothing will change that,” Hopper said as Steve smiled, waving as he stepped into his car.
Steve was happy, while Hopper hadn’t said the actual word. He does care, so Steve is pleased about that.
Once Steve reached school, he saw Tommy Hagan(a) and Carol Perkins(o) with the other Jocks. Steve maybe the co-captain of the cheer team but that doesn’t mean he likes what the jocks especially what they do to other. Yes the cheer team due to the lack of omegas wanting to do other sports Steve only had three choices in sports Cheer, Swimming or Softball. So he chose cheer and swimming as he wants his summer free to make extra cash.
Right know Tommy was bullying a member of the Hellfire club also known as the Dungeon and Dragon’s club. “Hey Tommy, don’t you have a make up test to study for?” Steve intersect coming closer to the others. “Yeah so?” Tommy said letting go of the guy, Gareth, Steve thinks is his name. “Didn’t you promise Coach and your mom you’re going to improve that grade before the next basketball game?” Steve word it so carefully that his lie would sound believable to others around them. Steve took the handkerchief he always carry to go over his nose sniffling as he does. “No you’re right, shit got to get a fucking C on that test.” Tommy said walking a way with the other Jocks.
Steve watch then go, “Well I never thought I would see the day when a Jock cares about studying,” A voice said behind Steve making him turn around to see Nancy Wheeler(b). Nancy was Steve’s tutor for english as he flunked the last test so he had to retake it with Nancy’s help. “Yeah but he’s captain so he has to have passing grades to play right?” Steve said a Nancy nodded before turning to him.
Nancy and Steve are friends by default as they get along well together. Steve does have a crush on Nancy but doesn’t want to act on it for one reason and one reason alone, he was still hiding. While the cult story was a happy coincidence Steve still lives in fear of being found which is also why he chose to do sports and asked to live in the cabin. That fear has Steve in a choke hold so he keeps everyone at a distance. He stayed with Hopper out of convince for the first year but grew attached to him over time. Steve was still scared of telling Hopper everything which seems fine as both have some baggage they carry without telling the other.
After school, Steve had opened the door to the cabin when the radio came through. There wasn’t a phone since both never needed to use one as they mostly communicated through the radio. “Steve are you there, kiddo?” Hopper voice came through, placing his bag down Steve headed to the radio. “Steve here, what’s up Hop?” Steve asked as he picked up things around the house. “Hey so I’m going to stay at the trailer for a few days since it’s closer into town.” Hopper said over the radio. “Oh, okay, anything I should be aware of?” Steve asked knowing there were somethings Hopper couldn’t tell him but he can make him aware.
“Yeah, we have a missing omega, Will Byers and it’s crucial to finding him soon.” Hopper said as Steve nodded, he knows the Byers well enough as Jonathan(b) was one of the first kids he interacted with, when Hopper had to work late and Joyce(o) was kind enough to watch over him. “Oh, how are they, Ms. Byers and Jonathan?” Steve asked recalling Jonathan not being at school today. “Not good think you can check in with them once in a while for me.” Hopper said as Steve wipe his some what dried nose. “Yeah of course.” Steve said, looking at the clean house.