For the fic wars can I request El trying to make Hopper admit that he's in love with Joyce
âYou let her beat you,â El observed from the passengerâs seat and Jim Hopper drove down the country roads, away from the Byers Residence.
âThat move was easily avoided, and I saw the box of trophies you still keep hidden. Youâre a chess master.â
âWas - like a million years ago- and Joyce is really good too.â
El wrinkled her nose and turned her gaze to the passing trees and flying snow outside of her window. âShe really isnât. You werenât playing at all like you taught me.â
âMaybe Iâve been training you to lose against me.â
âThatâs pre-preposterous,â.El replied, carefully tripping over her Word-of-the-Day. She heard her father sigh deeply. When she looked over, she saw that he was frowning at the road, his lips pressed firmly together in a severe line. âWhy did you let her win?â
Jim chuckled. âYou do notice how competitive Joyce gets during Game Night, donât you? Everyone lets her win because sheâs a sore loser.â
âThatâs not it. Will doesnât let her win.â
âWill is her baby, sheâs not going to bring out Sore Loser Joyce on him.â
âI donât let her win.â
El furrowed her brow and worried her bottom lip at the statement. The idea of being someoneâs baby sparked a light in her chest that radiated warmth throughout her entire body â a pleasant glow that left her slightly breathless.
âYou think she thinks of me like she thinks of Will?â
Jim turned to her, his stern, contemplative features softening when he caught the wide-eyed hope projecting so nakedly from her small face. He grinned, reached over, and ruffled her curls before turning his attention back to the road.
âShe absolutely does. Joyce told me the other day that she loves you like a daughter.â
El exhaled at the news, her eyes stinging slightly. âYes?â
âHow does she love you?â
Jimâs grip tightened on the steering wheel to the point where El could actually see his knuckles go white. For a split second, his exuberant expression vanished and was replaced with one that looked haunted and slightly winded â he switched back in a flash with a dismissive chuckle.
âI donât think she does at all, kid.â
El crossed her arms over her chest as she attempted to process his reply. âBut she feeds you.â
âYes. She feeds you too.â
âAnd has us over at least twice a week.â
âSo you can socialize with Will.â
âAnd she let you win at Five-Card Stud.â
âI told you to stop wandering around the table and reading other peopleâs cards!â
âAnd she looks at you the way I catch Mike looking at me sometimes.â
âThat boy is a menace.â
âAnd you do the same.â
âSheâs very, very easy to look at!â
El shot her father a victorious grin.
âShe does all the same things you do to show her that you love her.â
âItâs⊠complicated.â
El shrugged. âThatâs what she said when I pretended to have cramps so I could talk to her in the bathroom.â
She shrugged, a Cheshire Cat grin on her face.
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