Chapter Text
"Wait… Explain all of that again…?"
When he'd been called by Police Chief Jim Hopper to come and meet the man some place in the dense forest surrounding Hawkins, his first thoughts fell to the Upside Down. Naturally so considering his life this far. He had only just gotten through the door when the phone in his kitchen rang and his stomach dropped to the floor. Maybe a rogue demodog or, heaven forbid, worse was seen roaming the woods and the situation had quickly soured dire. Dire enough that he was needed by someone other than the children. That would spell disaster for not only whoever was stupid enough to be hunting this late in the day but whatever deal it was Hopper had vaguely mentioned once - and only once - that he had made with someone from the Laboratory. Being the only person Hopper had called hadn't really sunk in, not yet. Even as he blazed down the road, took turns a little too fast to be safe, swerved pothole after pothole. Not until he was stepping out of his car and slamming the door closed behind him with a loud and resounding thud had it occurred to him.
No weapons, no monsters, no mangled bodies. Only Jim.
Jim was already there and leaned against his Jeep languidly with a lit cigarette hanging from his mouth. The smoke wafted upwards, almost framing the older's face. It halo'd just above his head before dissipating into the trees above but the smell would always linger heavy in the air around him even hours later. With how calm - a semblance of calm he now understood - Jim was, lounging against the vehicle, Steve should have known that it had absolutely nothing to do with the Upside Down.
But he hadn't been prepared for what this meeting was actually about. He'd barely taken three steps towards him before Jim spoke up and hurriedly. Rushed, even, as Jim grew increasingly more…agitated? Upset? He was pacing as he spoke, his hands gesturing wildly in the air. The cigarette caught between perfect teeth had almost fallen more than thrice as Jim spoke. It was an offer to help raise Eleven. Not babysit, Jim had made that abundantly clear more than once. He needed someone to help raise her.
He was sure the girl was going to present Omega. Steve had asked how during a lapse of silence and Jim replied simply: "Just a feeling". Jim, being a thoroughly single Alpha, was damn near panicking. Sure, Joyce was available, but Joyce had a full time job and her own children to care for. Will had a whole slew of troubles all on his own and at no fault of Will's. Steve, on the other hand, was going to graduate in three months, certainly wasn't dating, and didn't have any future plans yet. He himself had presented Omega quite a few years ago, the early bloomer falling ill two weeks after his thirteenth birthday before his presenting heat approached nearly out of the blue and hit him like a pound of cement to the head.
Steve was readily available and Jim was willing to pay him for his efforts. It just sounded like glorified babysitting to him but… Ya know, what did Steve know, right?
"Is it a deal or not?" Jim had since ceased pacing and was now standing rather stiffly in front of Steve with his arms outstretched as if presenting himself for inspection.
It was brief, but Steve's eyes did in fact roam over the older, brows furrowed. Like he was waiting for the Chief to pull out a confetti popper and yell 'surprise'. It didn't happen, and it only cemented that this was real, and he inhaled through his nose roughly.
Which was a mistake in hindsight as he received a rather large dose of Jim's panic soured scent and his nose scrunched ever so slightly.
"You're positive you want me to do this?" the skepticism was thick in his voice alone as he motioned to himself with his hands, "The majority of what I know about my secondary gender is mostly through trial and error. You know how our school handles sexual education."
"Which is why I'm trusting you with this," Jim took an almost cautious step forward, the spent cigarette flying through the air as he tossed it aside, "You have life experience and you're not as old as Joyce-" his face scrunched up in immediate regret at his choice of words, "You're near to El's age, is what I mean. And she trusts you. I've seen how good you are with those little shits, they listen to you."
"Eehh… 'Listen' is a fairly loose term where they're concerned. Dustin in specific."
"They still respect you. At least to a degree. You've been through the same shit they have been," Jim motioned to Steve's car, as if the car was synonymous with the kids, "They look up to you and I know El would love to have you around more. I just-"
Steve's brows furrowed as Jim cut himself off in favor of pacing once again. There was more to this than what the Alpha was telling him and he knew deep down that this was more than a job offer but Steve was reluctant to push. He's seen Jim's anger before, how easy it was to nudge him in the wrong way. Of course, those few occasions were typically during a moment of high stress. Being three steps from death at any given moment would run any sane person's patience thin.
"You just…?" a baby soft gentle nudge, one to get him started in the right direction as Steve watched on from his spot amongst decayed leaves safely.
"It's Mike!" anger obvious in his voice, a quick burst of red hot energy had Jim pacing about the ground, "Little pissant keeps coming around and all they ever seem to do is kiss! They refuse to leave the door three inches or they slam it in my face!"
"Well… they are kinda sorta dating."
"And that's the problem!" Jim throws his arms up into the air as he paces and paces…
Steve wasn't exactly sure what expression his brain decided to wear but he was sure it made him look just as confused as he smelled, if not more, "It's a problem that they're dating?"
"Yes!" Jim was exasperated, clearly at his wits end as he crowded Steve and grabbed the younger by the shoulders, albeit gently, "Little shit presented Alpha a couple weeks ago!"
Eyes only slightly wide in barely there confusion, he gives a quick, knowing nod, "Well, his sister is too so anyone coulda guessed the odds on that one, Chief."
"You don't get it!" he groaned, more like a growl really, as he backed away from Steve to stomp around again, "They might only be kissing now but what about in a week? A month? After she presents?"
"Well, have you asked Joyce for help?"
"Yes."
"And she said…?"
"To have a heart to heart with them."
"And you said?"
"That I would."
"Have you…?"
"...no."
Steve heaved a sigh before one of his hands came up to scritch through his hair in very mild frustration, "So you're, what, hoping I can talk her into dumping him?"
"Yes."
"I'm not doing that, man."
"Kid," he stepped up close again, his hands raised to grab but he refrained, "if El was your daughter, what would you do?"
"Uh…wow… that's a great question actually, uhm…"
He licked at his lips, a quick dart of tongue, as he thought the question over carefully. While he had settled on the undeniable fact that he certainly wanted kids, he hadn't thought so far into the future about how he would raise a teenager, especially not one supposedly on the cusp of a presentation. He himself had only just turned eighteen and he was also only just getting his life back together after Nancy Wheeler. The fact that it was taking him near to a year and a half to do that was definitely neither here nor there and he certainly wasn't ready to talk about it.
"I guess I would make sure I respected her boundaries while also keeping an eye on her now Alpha boyfriend. Maybe have them come out to help in the kitchen if I suspect they're getting too close in the bedroom? Ya know, wash dishes, maybe cook together, watch a movie, something like that."
That seemed to satisfy Jim. Actually, he seemed elated at the answer as his hands balled into fists and he punched very lightly at the air once he'd moved far enough away from Steve to do it safely.
"That's perfect. That's perfect, kid, you're perfect. That's exactly what I need!"
Steve's eyes were glued to Jim as the Alpha rambled about the multitude of things he'd already tried to keep the two from getting too close. But the words 'you're perfect' bounced around in Steve's head obnoxiously and drowned out the one-sided conversation he found himself in. Jim's voice was muffled, almost a white noise in comparison to his own thoughts. He didn't think such a small sentence would cause his brain to damn near shut down but he couldn't, for the life of him, string a coherent sentence together. He could faintly register the feeling of heat on his face and he knew he was blushing brilliant red. Embarrassment was hot on his heels but it only darkened the crimson that dusted his features.
Was he that desperate for affirmation that Jim Hopper being proud of his disciplinary skills made him feel floaty?
"Are we starting today?" he hadn't meant to cut Jim off but the longer he allowed the Alpha to rant, the more time he had to mull over this…feeling… And he wasn't having any of that today. Life was hard enough, thanks.
"Today! Definitely today, I swear to God if I have to sit in my chair and listen to those two make out for another goddamn night-"
"Great. Cool. Lead the way. I'll be right behind you."
Again, he hadn't meant to cut Jim off. This would make the second time and he'd done it consecutively. Jim's voice, how near buttery smooth, gruffly baritone it sounded… His whole body tingled from head to toe and he practically ran for his car just to escape it. He didn't know what exactly was going on, if maybe he was just lonely or mate-sick, but he couldn't continue to stand there and allow Jim another chance at another rant. It might truly drive him insane. Driving in silence was a small reprieve from his current predicament but it was what it was and he would at least get the drive to wherever the hell Jim was taking him to calm his thoughts. Confusing thoughts but still thoughts.
Or so he assumed…
The roar of the engine, the sound of gravel and loose pavement crunching under tires, none of it had been loud enough to make him forget what Jim's voice made him feel. Regardless of focusing on the road ahead, 'you're perfect' reverberated in his head louder than any song. It played on a loop, round and round, whispering yet yelling all at once. Almost as if it were taunting him. He knew in the back of his mind that it shouldn't have affected him this way. Neither should the word 'bullshit' but he'd been stuck in a comically long freeze frame by that one for a year and a half now.
He refused to believe that he was simply that sensitive. That small words could hold so much power over him that they stole his entire focus. Being Omega was literally secondary to who he was as a person but there were some days where it was more obvious than usual and he hated it. Like the night he felt bone-deep rejection from the one person he'd ever considered his Alpha, their relationship being thrown in his face as bullshit...
His hands gripped the steering wheel tight, his jaw clenched, as he pushed the speed limit ever so softly. He wasn't exactly riding bumper to bumper with Jim who drove ahead of him but he also wasn't exactly a respectful distance from Jim's tailgate either. If Jim made a sudden stop for one reason or another, it was likely Steve would rear-end him and none too gently at that.
Words shouldn't hold the type of power they did over him, like a leash telling him which way he should walk. Like he was guarding his heart by moving in a straight line from point A to point B. But they do, entirely, and it made him so unfathomably angry.
An obnoxiously blinking red light just ahead of him caught his attention. Gently it pulled him from his love-sick thoughts like a beacon and he was able to screech to a halt behind Jim just in time to make a right turn. All without crashing even. Smooth pavement made a jarring transition into bumpy dirt back road as he followed Jim into the trees and thick foliage. Had he been following any other Alpha, this would have been a red flag. Part of him warned that it still very well could be but he was choosing to ignore it rather pointedly. It was Jim Hopper just a few feet in front of him, just because he could get away with his murder didn't mean that he'd try it.
"Or he might…" Steve grumbled low under his breath as a rickety cabin came into view between the trees and stark green leaves.
The roof hung low over the porch, sagged really. Leaves coated the shingles and fell to the ground below whenever a new leaf floated into the pile from up above. The wood siding on the cabin was old, dingy, splintering. It would take more than a half decent power wash to polish this particular turd. The cabin itself seemed sturdy enough but those porch steps were questionable at best. Steve wasn't too keen on dancing with the aspect of contracting Tetanus. Was that even how it was contracted to begin with? Something inside of him screamed to bring up the multitude of health hazards he could spot just from glancing but he knew Jim would either grow defensive or write them off. Eleven deserved a house… Maybe he could make that possible by fixing the cabin up a little at a time. Barely noticeable fixes, ones that Jim himself would be happy for.
"I know it's not much," Jim spoke up as Steve trudged his way closer only to plant a firm hand against the other's chest, "And be careful of the damn traps. Mike keeps tripping over them."
"Traps?" Steve's voice rose an octave as he stumbled back a step quickly and hopefully away from any so called traps, "What traps? The fuck in the Where Are You Scooby Doo is this shit??"
Huffing a snort, Jim shook his head but his hand never left Steve's chest, "Noise trap. In case some asshole from the damn government figures out that El's here."
"Jesus, you'd think you were hiding the Declaration of Independence or something…" his brows furrowed as their gazes locked, only for Steve to avert his eyes before the look could linger.
Jim's laugh made his stomach do a dozen different types of flips consecutively as butterflies invaded his chest. It was such a genuine laugh. Deep, resonating, perfect… The way his eyes wrinkled at the corners, his perfect teeth laying in wait under dark facial hair. Oh, and how his scent spiked ever so brief in true and genuine mirth. It was almost enough to steal Steve's breath away. Luckily all it had accomplished was forcing a soft exhale that caught in his throat but that was easily coughed out.
There was no way he had it this bad already. This had to be loneliness because what else could it be? Jim was older. And a man, above all. As far as he knew, the Chief was straight. He himself only liked girls, right? Is it possible to still like girls but only be attracted to one man? What was that even called? Was it even a thing? Could someone even like both at the same time? And what had even given him these thoughts to begin with? Jim Hopper, for as long as he'd known the man personally, had never been more to him than the Chief of Police and reluctant sidekick to Upside Down crime fighting.
Where was this sudden infatuation coming from?
And he was adamant about referring to it as only an infatuation because if he called it anything more than that then his heart might explode from his chest in an over dramatic display of metaphorical butterflies.
The door creaked as it opened and Jim stepped inside first as he held the door open for his only half reluctant companion. He followed slowly, the wood groaning as it shifted under both of their weights. Stepping into the cabin was something Steve likened to face planting a brick wall. Jim's scent laid thick, heavy in the air. Layer upon layer of fresh spices and smooth almond, a hint of tobacco and the obvious heaviness of cigarettes. He couldn't help but to breathe it in and deeply, as if he were incorporating it into his very being. It was calming, soothing, something he could wrap himself up in and forget everything. It screamed safe and capable and it made Steve's body hum in response. The main room of the cabin was warm, cozy, and homey. Everything he imagined a home for a family to truly look like. In contrast to his own home, it was obvious the house was lived in. Whereas his home looked like something ripped straight out of a magazine, cold and clearly staged.
"Steve?"
Eleven rounded the corner and her soft voice snapped him from his thoughts. The smile he wore as his eyes landed on the young girl was soft and fond, welcoming and almost excited. He didn't often get much free time with Eleven. The boys, sure. Even Max had spent more time with him in comparison. Actually having a chance for some one on one with her, getting to know Eleven without the entire group of children crowding each other, was truly exciting.
"Hey, squirt! Haven't seen you in about a week," Steve stepped closer to stand more beside Jim as he spoke, his scent shifting welcoming and his smile bright.
"Been busy."
"Yeah? Doing what?"
"Dictionary."
Steve opened his mouth to speak but his cluelessness rendered him speechless and he chanced a look to Jim then, "eh?"
"I give her words she doesn't know and she looks them up," his hand lifted from his side and made a motion for the bookcase against the wall near the bathroom, "She's learned a few things so far."
"Ah. So that's where she learned that the word 'pig' has two very different meanings."
"Mmhh. And you better not teach her the third one either," Jim pointed a playfully accusatory finger at Steve as he slipped his uniform coat from his shoulders and hung it up on the coat rack beside the door.
"No, no. Course not. What kinda person do ya think I am, Hopp?" he made a point to look absolutely scandalized as he moved further into the cabin and past Jim only to cup his hands as he mouthed 'cop' rather exaggeratedly through them to Eleven who giggled in return.
Luckily she knew what a 'cop' was. Talk about a flat joke otherwise.
"So, my duties, Chief," Steve drawled the word slow and playful before Eleven stepped closer to wrap him up in a hug. He missed the near full body shiver that forced Jim to roll his neck and shoulders, "Are, like, cooking. Cleaning. Housewife just without the 'wife' part."
The Alpha groans and turns to face the pair, though it takes him a moment to work up the words as he watches the hug almost fondly, "You say that like we're playing house."
"Are we?" brows raised, Steve turns to look back at the other as he ruffles Eleven's hair, "You'd be the Daddy, right?"
"God, don't say that," the twelve different levels of disgust that crossed Jim's features almost made Steve bark out a laugh. Almost.
"Fine, fine. I'll stick to Chief."
"Good," Jim gave a curt nod as he moved closer towards his recliner where a new pack of cigarettes and his ashtray sat, "And keeping up with housework… If ya dirty it, clean it. But I don't expect you to clean, top to bottom, or anything."
Sucking on his teeth, Steve gave a nod as he watched the older plop into the recliner with a tired groan before his tongue clicked against the roof of his mouth at the first sign of words, these directed to Eleven, "Won't mind having me around more often, right?"
"Never been here," her tone colored confused as her face scrunched in the same emotion, her head shaking from right to left slow and deliberate.
"I am now!" with a bright and playful smile, he motioned towards himself with both hands, "Is that okay?"
All Eleven has known was Mike and Hopper. This was her space, her cabin, as much as it was Jim's. The Chief might be giving him permission to come into the house but if Eleven didn't like it? It didn't even matter the reason, he knows how he would feel if his parents tried to push some caretaker onto him. Eleven, fortunately, had the luxury of at least knowing of him from previous Upside Down debacles. He, on the other hand, would likely be fitted with someone from way out of state, a complete stranger, and it wouldn't matter to his parents if he was uncomfortable.
He wanted to give Eleven the right to choose him. Not Jim.
"Yes?" her answer was just as confused as before but her nod was confident, "Like you. So, yes."
"Well, least ya like me. Not many do, I'm afraid," it came off as a joke and his chuckle sold it but he was sure his scent shifted sour even if minute.
"Dustin," she responded simply, a soft smile tilting her lips, "Talks about you. Lots."
"Yeah?" his brows furrowed as he followed Eleven to the couch and he took a seat, one of his legs planted underneath him as he'd done so, giving him the semblance of relaxing back farther than possible, "Guess I'll have to ask him what he says about me next time."
"Hear through Mike," her eyes darted to Jim quick as the Alpha groaned from his spot at the name and her face scrunched up disapprovingly, though briefly, "Radio."
"Boys never leave home without those damn things, huh?" he leaned in conspiratorially as his own face drew up into a playful scrunch, complete with a pearly white smile, and he snickered as she laughed back.
"Never," she clarified as she leaned in as well, very much a mimic of his own actions with a smile just as bright, "Always talk."
Though Jim remained in his recliner, he watched the pair from his peripheral. They were talking, soft and respectful, but they were snickering between themselves every other sentence. The air around the two was surprisingly easy going and comfortable. Jim knew Steve was great with the kids, he'd both seen and heard it. He wasn't expecting this, however. How easy it came to the young Omega, like it was second nature for him. Mike could get Eleven to giggle but not in the way Steve was able to do tonight. Steve was her fresh pair of eyes to a relationship she seemed perfect. Eleven could talk about Mike with Steve in a way she couldn't or wouldn't with Jim.
Jim didn't want to push the role onto the young Omega, but it was a rather quick blooming mother-daughter relationship. It was damn near perfect.
He feared that it wouldn't work out when he'd first gotten the idea. It wasn't that he'd heard bad things about Steve from the kids. When they would talk to him, that is. It was more that he was afraid Eleven wouldn't take to him as well. Eleven enjoyed Joyce but they weren't exactly close. Steve had been involved with Demogorgons and demodogs damn near intimately. Not to mention the closeness in age. Eleven could feel she was letting things off of her chest instead of seeking parental advice from Steve as opposed to Joyce.
Heart to heart his whole ass. This man was twelve steps ahead and winning at this game they called parenthood! Jim was a goddamned, certified genius. This was going far better than any heart to heart ever could! He sucked at words and conveying his feelings and he closed up at the mere notion of opening himself up like that to his daughter and her really annoying boyfriend. Steve was a natural and he knew Mike far better than Jim did. Look at him go!
He'll be waiting quite patiently for his Father Of The Year mug in the corner, thanks. He's earned it.