Chapter Text
Life in Hawkins began going back to normal in December of 1987. Vecna was dead, the gates to the upside down were closed, and everyone began to live normal lives again.
Nancy and Jonathan left Hawkins for college in the spring of 1988. Jonathan went to NYU and Nancy went to Emerson. He hasn’t seen or heard from either of them in months.
Robin also got out of Hawkins. She got into Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Robin begged him to move to Massachusetts with her but Steve didn’t want to hold her back. He didn’t want to hold anyone back. They all had their dreams and aspirations, and he… well, he didn’t have many dreams. Just the one and it was a fool’s dream. A good dream, but one that would never come true.
The not so little shits all graduated high school in 1989 and went to colleges of their own, so their entire friend group was out of Hawkins. Everyone, except Steve.
Hopper and Joyce still lived in Hawkins too. Hopper was the Chief again and the town hero for saving the town from evil Russians.
Hopper kept noticing Steve showing up around town alone. He was a regular at the Hideaway these days. Always sitting alone at the bar and never talking to anyone except the bartender or one of the single ladies if they approached him.
Hopper saw a lot of himself in Steve and he wanted to help him out. Give him a purpose or something. Hopper was never good at talking so he decided to just offer Steve a job.
Hopper sat next to Steve at the bar on a Friday.
“Hey kid, how’s it going?” Hopper asked, taking a drag of his cigarette.
Steve shrugged and took a sip of his beer before responding. “Hey Hop, I’m good, you know… just living the dream.”
Hopper smirked. “How’s the job search going?”
“I’ve been freelancing. This town needs all the help it can get. I already helped rebuild some of the houses and stuff. The library is gonna be a doozy.”
“Yeah, I’ve seen you around town with your construction crew.”
“Monday, I start helping Mr. Newman fix his house. That should last me a few more months.”
“That’s noble of you, kid, but did you ever think of finding a real career?”
“I’m coaching the middle school baseball team this spring. Does that count?” Steve said with a hint of sarcasm.
Hopper took another swig of beer and shook his head. “I don’t think so. You know, I’ve needed a new deputy since Callahan and Powell hightailed it out of town. I don’t trust many people here for the job, but I feel like you’d make a good deputy.”
“Me?” Steve asked, surprised.
“Why not? I trust you, and I know you can handle a crisis situation. What are you going to do, work at Family Video for the rest of your life?”
Steve looked a little offended. “Hey, don’t knock it. At least no one shoots at you in Family Video.” Steve finished off his beer.
“Yeah, and no one takes you seriously either. What are you now, 24? It’s about time you get a real job.”
Steve rolled his eyes. “Okay Dad. Weren’t you the guy who refused to teach us how to shoot when the world was ending? Now you want me to be a cop?”
“That was mostly Wheeler’s doing. Besides, you know how many times I shot a gun working as a cop in this town before all the Upside Down crap? Zero, that’s how many. Just think about it, kid. I can put in a good word for you at the Mayor’s office. We are dying for new recruits.”
“I’ll think about it.” Steve agreed as he flagged down the bartender to get him another beer.
“So, you talk to any of our kids lately?” Hopper asked with a smile.
Steve shook his head, looking down at his beer. “Just Robin. I’m sure the rest of them are all busy with school and stuff. They probably want to forget this place even exists.” He shrugged. “Can’t blame them.”
Hopper nodded in disappointment. “Will called yesterday. He asked about you, said to say hi.”
Steve smiled at that. “Tell him I said hi the next time you talk to him. How’s he doing?”
“He’s good. Still getting used to college life.”
Steve nodded.
“Anyway, I’ll see you around, kid.” Hopper said, patting Steve’s shoulder. He got off his stool and threw a 20 on the bar.
“Bye Hop.” Steve muttered, taking a slow sip of his new beer.