“Joyce?” he’s calling out before even entering Melvald’s. Adjusting the way his jacket hung off his shoulders, Jim gripped the handle of the store’s front door and practically ripped it open, almost running into a customer who was on their way out. They lock eyes, Hopper’s tight brow scaring them into scurrying out of his way, clearing the front of the general store so he can properly... stand there. Hands on hips, looking around over the top of the aisles trying to find the woman he’s calling for. “I swear to god if you’re off today...”
Soon, eyes focus on her, crouched in between two aisles and cursing when her restocking of the shelves accidentally knocks more things onto the floor. He moves fast to her, long legs bringing him right next to Joyce, and then he continues to just stand there, towering over her, eyes watching her struggle but not moving to help her pick up the fallen stock until she’s already reaching for it.
A pause. Jim moves his hand and lets her pick it up and restock it. The tall chief stands up fully once more, arching his back and moving hips forward to crack the tension in his lower back. Another awkward beat, but he spends it looking around the mostly empty store. “Don’t look like you’re having the best of days,” he slips the pack of cigarettes from his jacket pocket and waves it in front of her, “so you’ll be down to say screw this and take your smoke break? You know, like the old days?” Jim’s free hand grips Joyce’s and helps her stand up properly, and he’s back to looking at her, unable to read her expression. It had been many years since their time in high school together, but he approaches her asking for a smoke buddy as if they were sixteen again. The only difference is that he’s unsure whether or not she’ll agree to leave as easily. // jim for @ghostfable’s joyce ♥









